MediaMaker Spotlight

More stories get written than make it to screen, so what becomes of these lost narratives? In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with producer James Walker to dive into a project he and his company, Velocity Studios have embarked upon to revive some of these scripts in an exciting new way. You’ll learn how they produce immersive experiences that envelop a listener in a rich audio-only world. Hear about the benefits and challenges faced when adapting a story intended for screen into a medium that requires its audience to flex their imaginations in a different way. In this interview, they focus on the first project put out in this “Greatest Scripts Never Made” series, a cyberpunk noir called The Metal Detective. You’ll even get a taste of The Metal Detective during this exploration of audio dramas and what they could mean for projects that deserve to be shared with the world.

You can learn more about James, Velocity Studios, their Greatest Scripts series, and The Metal Detective, at: https://www.velocity-studios.com/

The Metal Detective is also available wherever you find your podcasts.

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!

In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with WIFV’s 2024 Women of Vision honoree E. Samantha Cheng about her long resume in the media world. She is a writer, director, and producer that has worked in New York City and London before making the DMV home. Her passion and support of the Asian American community has formed the foundation of her work which includes Norman Mineta, the Boy from San Jose, and Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese, which ran nationally on PBS. During this episode, Cheng shares details about her latest project, Dora Fugh Lee: A Life in Art, which ran on WETA, during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 2024. 

To learn more about E. Samanatha and her educational documentaries, visit www.heritageseries.us

To learn more about WIFV’s long-running Women of Vision Awards, visit: www.wifv.org/women-of-vision-awards/

And to learn more about Gals ‘N’ Gear, check out: https://www.galsngear.tv/

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!

In this special double-host, double-guest episode, hosts Tara Jabbari and Candice Bloch sit down with Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus, the co-hosts of the popular podcast, The Bechdel Cast. The quartet of podcasters discuss The Bechdel Cast, a weekly podcast from iHeartRadio, that dives into the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in movies. The show gets its name and premise from the Bechdel-Wallace test which investigates whether or not a work includes at least two women conversing about a topic other than a man. The show now often covers other tests as well, and features lively and comedic discussions about films and the portrayals of their characters.

In this episode, you’ll hear about The Bechdel Cast’s origins and process, and some highlights and takeaways from their over-seven-year podcasting journey discussing hundreds of films that span all eras and genres. They discuss their community of supporters on Patreon, recording episodes in front of live audiences on tour, and how they have discovered that their show helps spark conversation about intersectional feminism and representation in movies. 

To learn more about the The Bechdel Cast, their tour, and Caitlin and Jamie, the Los Angeles based comedian hosts of the show, you can find links at: https://linktr.ee/bechdelcast

You can find the show’s Patreon (aka Matreon) here: https://www.patreon.com/bechdelcast

You can find The Bechdel Cast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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!

Lady Whistledown has news: Dearest Gentle Listener - Bridgerton is back! The Regency period romantic drama from Shonda Rhimes dropped on May 16 on Netflix. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with many members of the talented production team to learn how Season 3 came together. Sandra discusses the music with Oscar-winner Kris Bowers, the wardrobe with Costume Designer John Glaser, all those dances with Choreographer Jack Murphy, and everyone’s looks with Emmy-winning Hair and Make Up Artist, Erika Okvist. Listen in to learn about the flowers, production design, music rights, and so much more.

This season of the iconic Netflix series focuses on the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. Watch the first four episodes in Part 1 out on May 16th, and the final four episodes in Part 2, out on June 13th.

www.netflix.com/Bridgerton
Instagram: @BridgertonOnNetflix 
Twitter: @Bridgerton

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!

Professional stuntwoman, motion capture performer, and champion martial artist, Thekla Hutyrova sits down with host Candice Bloch for a fun conversation all about bringing action to our screens - on film, television, and in video games. Thekla has worked on films such as Alita: Battle Angel, Logan, and Deadpool 2, shows such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Ms. Marvel, and video games such as God of War: Ragnarok, Mortal Kombat 1 and Spider-Man 2. 

In their conversation, you’ll learn about how stunts are coordinated and executed, both on and off sets, some of the technology that helps make it happen, and discover more about the profession, the process, and the skills it takes to execute action safely for our entertainment. You’ll leave this episode with a greater appreciation and respect for the professionals that enhance our visual stories, and even some everyday useful information!

You can follow Thekla on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/theklahutyrova

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!

Israeli director, Anna Somershaf sits down with host Sandra Abrams in this episode to talk about her award-winning feature documentary, Women of Valor. The film follows the odyssey of Esty Shushan, an orthodox mother and wife, as she seeks to change the law for Haredi women to be elected representatives to Israel's Knesset. Over a five year period, there are many obstacles, especially from ultra-religious men, as these Orthodox women become modern-day Suffragettes, fighting to have their own voices heard. For some Orthodox women, it comes at a high cost. The film is in both Hebrew and English, and is the winner of the Best Documentary Feature at the 2023 Richmond International Film Festival. In their conversation, you’ll hear about the journey of getting the film made and more specifics about the powerful documentary.

LINK TO TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/584628555
LINK TO FILM’S FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/womenofvalor.film

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!

Up-and-coming television comedy writer, Julia Lindon sits down with host Candice Bloch in this episode to chat about her journey in writing. You’ll learn more about the dynamics of the writers’ room, hear stories about leveraging connections to get in the door, and get a glimpse into the process of honing her comedy chops and bringing stories to the screen. Julia began by working at NBC’s Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, and has gone on to work on such hit series as Netflix/A24’s Survival of the Thickest and Apple TV’s Ted Lasso. She is currently writing on Peacock’s NPR parody, In The Know.

To learn more about Julia, you can visit her website at: https://www.julialindon.com/ and follow her on Instagram @julialindon

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!

In this episode, Michael Schulman, author of "Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears'' sits down with host Tara Jabbari for a conversation about notable Oscars moments and their larger significance. Michael shares how voting works for the Academy Awards, and the two discuss how the famous ceremony is a lens into how Hollywood thinks. You’ll hear more about some notable chapters from the book (like when Gregory Peck was the President of the Academy, or when Harvey Weinstein played dirty in campaigning), history-making moments, and more! 

Learn more about Michael Schulman: https://www.michael-schulman.com/ 

Article Michael wrote on Oscar nominations and “Barbie’s” lack of nominations https://www.newyorker.com/culture/notes-on-hollywood/the-oscars-are-confused-about-barbie 

Buy “Oscar Wars” https://www.harpercollins.com/products/oscar-wars-michael-schulman

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!

In this episode - our first with a video companion - join all three of our hosts on a journey through the dynamic world of American reality TV. We explore its origins, cultural impact, and evolving genres. From the groundbreaking series "The Real World'' to the global phenomenon of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," we unpack how these shows reflect and shape our society. Listen in as we share personal anecdotes and discuss how reality TV has become a platform for important conversations.

We examine the mechanics of reality TV and its widespread appeal. Whether it's the satisfaction of quick resolutions or the emotional manipulation of viewers through crafty editing, there's no denying the genre's ability to captivate. Sub-genres provide drama in following celebrities’ lives, binge-worthy spectacle in navigating love connections, inspiration in creative competitions, and so much more… which sub-genre is your favorite?

To watch our conversations, subscribe to our YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/@MediaAndMonuments

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!

People with disabilities have been historically underrepresented in the entertainment industry. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with U.K.- based actress, writer, and disability advocate, Melissa Johns. Johns explains how she landed the role as the brainy Miss Scott in the British detective series, Grantchester, where her disability (born without her right forearm and hand) is a non-factor, who she called first when she landed a role on the iconic soap, Coronation Street, and how her foundation is helping others with disabilities break down barriers in the entertainment industry. She also shares what happened when intimate photos of her were posted online and how she got her power back through writing. 

To learn more about Melissa Johns and her organization TripleC, check out: https://triplec.org.uk/

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!