Troubled Artists

Welcome to the 42nd episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing filmmaker and host of the Cinema Flow Podcast, Zack Abdulbaki.

Zack Abdulbaki has created several short films, including Annie, Are You Okay?, It's Gone, Scorpion Cocktail, and Helium. The latter of which has screened at over 25 film festivals. 

Zack is also the host and producer of the Cinema Flow Podcast. He has interviewed actors and filmmakers promoting movies from Neon, Paramount, Netflix, Sony, Shudder, Roadside Attractions, IFC Films, Lionsgate, Peacock, Hulu, and Warner Bros. 

He is also the creator of the Firework Film Festival which will be held on November 1st, 2026 at the Gardena Cinema in California.

As a producer, Zack has also helped other directors realize their projects, including the upcoming short films, Orion, The Interview, and the feature film, The Courier.

Zack is currently in development on a new short film, Shave the Cat. As well as a feature film titled Mystery Flight.

As a production assistant, Zack has worked on several television shows, including 9-1-1 and Chicago P.D.

You can see Zack acting in the background of several shows including Grey's Anatomy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Paradise, The Lincoln Lawyer, St. Dennis Medical, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, She's Fine, Forever, Stick, Poser, Bannister, Comics Unleashed,and The Land.

We’ll be discussing his upbringings as an artist, his highlights and struggles, and share advice for other filmmakers.

Zack Abdulbaki’s Website: https://www.zackbaki.com/

Zack Abdulbaki’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zack_abdulbaki?stkn=bzA1MWt4dHVid2t1

Cinema Flow Podcast’s YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@cinema_flow_podcast?si=u0_3gnIa2Pgti-Uj

Submit your short film to the Firework Film Festival by SEPTEMBER 30TH: https://www.fireworkfilmfestival.com/

Welcome back to the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing filmmaker Ben Kurstin.

Ben owns and runs the company 54SP (54 Scripts Productions) that since mid 2021 has produced 8 shorts films. With his Producing partner Tin Nguyen, Ben has gotten their films into over 90 film festivals and won 30 awards, plus a few dozen more nominations.

In 2020 when the world entered quarantine due to COVID, Ben began writing short form film scripts. In 60 days he ended up writing 54 scripts. The shortest is 5 pages, and the longest is 34 pages, each one written in a single day. He then began producing them as the company 54SP.

Ben is also an accomplished artist with his art pieces entitled "Dime a Dozen" that was featured on VICELAND, Society Magazine, EL MON D'AHIR, Chicagist, DNAInfo Chicago, MSN, AOL News, WBEZ, WGN, FOX, Chicago News Magazine, NEWSY, 60 Second Docs, EL ESPANOL Magazine, Metro, WKQX, Yahoo/Hulu, Voyage Chicago, and Foul Play Magazine.

We’ll be talking about his upbringings as a filmmaker, his highlights and struggles, and share advice for aspiring filmmakers.

Ben Kurstin’s Website: https://www.benkurstindp.com/filmography

Ben Kurstin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benkurstin?stkn=a2IzZGlja2hvOWxz

54 Scripts Production’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/54scripts?stkn=Z2g3cmQxOG1idjR4

54 Script's Production's Website: https://www.54scripts.com/

Welcome to the 40th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing filmmaker Nick Cartwright.

Nick Cartwright is a creative director, director of photographer, and a fellow member of the video production company Film in a Bag.

We'll be discussing his upbringings as an artist, the ups and downs of his career, future projects, and share advice for fellow filmmakers.

Nick Cartwright's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick_cartwright_creative?igsi=MTY4MXVuemQ5enVkbQ==

Film in a Bag's Website: https://www.filminabag.com/

Welcome to the 39th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing filmmaker Ricardo Albarrán.

Ricardo Albarran is the writer/director of the short film “3AM” and his most recent short film “Pelacaras” has played in several film festivals and most recently won best Horror short Chicago at the Chicago Horror Film Festival.

We’ll be discussing his upbringings as an artists, the highlights and struggles of his career, and share advice for other artists.

Ricardo Albarrán’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3amfilmsx?igsh=MW9od2xsejB3Z2ltZA==

Ricardo Albarrán’s IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15273765/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

“3AM” Short Film: https://youtu.be/AD88JF4Vl20?is=gQHM5UcuSzhkMyGV

Welcome to the 38th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing filmmaker Daniel J. Pico.

Daniel J. Pico Is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in directing and screenwriting. He has been shooting films his entire life having made his first movie at the age of 8.
Daniel has directed two theatrically released feature films "Common Senses", and "Farewell Darkness" which won three best feature film awards in the international film festival circuit. Additionally, Daniel has directed more than 85 short films, music videos, commercials and documentaries, including 11 episodes of several popular TV and web series, garnering over 40 independent film awards and nominations for his work.
Daniel is the founder of Pico Blvd Entertainment, a production company who's core is focused on independent cinema. Not only is Dan a maverick director, he is an accomplished editor and has worked in several major capacities in film, from producing multiple feature films, to first assistant directing several multi-million dollar features films around the world. His short film "Reasonable Doubt" recently debuted at the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival - Marche Du Film 2024.
He also co-wrote the Gala Films/Exertion3 series "RZR" and served as a Co-Producer, Editor, and Director of Episode 6 "The Blood Dimmed tide" the show is streaming in the Gala Film Network and is nominated for a 2024 Primetime Emmy Award.

His latest film "The Withering" is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Google Play, or YouTube Movies.

Daniel J. Pico's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picoblvdent/

Daniel J Pico's IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2145013/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Daniel J. Pico's Website: https://www.danieljpico.com/

Daniel J. Pico's Films/YouTube Page: https://youtube.com/@danielpicoblvdent?si=NGFcx6xa3D_-KXMr

Welcome back to the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing actress Dani Ferreira.

Dani Ferreira was born in Costa Rica and raised in Mexico. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Dani has been able to work on projects in both Mexico and the United States. In addition to her work as an actress, she has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for over 14 years.

Dani Ferreira’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniferreiraa__?igsh=MXV1eW1zNXFzZXl0Yg==

Dani Ferreira’s IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13564268/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Welcome to the 36th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing photographer and freelancer, Leah Wellman.

Leah Wellman is a fashion and editorial photographer, as well as a narrative cinematographer whose work blends vintage-inspired styling, hands-on art direction, and experimentation with analog and alternative photographic techniques. Her visual storytelling ranges from dark, horror-leaning concepts to playful, camp-driven narratives, always aiming to create engaging and welcoming productions.

We'll be discussing her upbringings as an artist, her highlights and struggles of her creative career, and share advice for other artists.

Leah Wellman's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellman.leah?igsh=MXkwNHFzc2ZrYXgzaA==

Leah Wellman's Fasion/Portrait Website: https://leahreneephoto.my.canva.site/

Leah Wellman's Wedding Website: https://leahwellmanphotography.mypixieset.com/

Welcome to the 35th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing actress, writer, director, producer, and Lakefront Pictures Co-Founder Jennifer Goodman.

Jennifer Goodman is an award winning female creator who has written, produced and co-directed both new media projects and short films. She has been in musical theatre, stage plays and film since she was a child.

In 2016 Jennifer co-created and wrote a new media show, "Conrad," a story on female empowerment in the criminal justice world. She stars in it alongside Harry Lennix (The Blacklist) and Eric Roberts, Hisham Tawfiq, and more. After being cast in what was originally two pages, Jennifer offered to expand the original story.

Jennifer has nany written works under he belt including a short film The Nest which she co-directed and produced, and the short received 5 awards, won two film festivals and had footage locisened by NBC.

In 2019, Jennifer received an award as Top 10 female producers through studio daily out of Los Angeles.

Jennifer joined forces with her co-creator of Conrad and became a co-founder of a production company Lakefront Pictures in which their goal is specializing in development, pre-production, production and post in new media and film.

Jennifer is in communication with directors, producers and writers on some of the shows and films seen on tv today. She continues to grow and hone her craft both in front and behind the camera.

We'll be discussing her upbringings as an artist, advice surrounding the film industry, and the origins of Chicago-based production company, Lakefront Pictures.

Jennifer Goodman's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferashleygoodman?igsh=a3I0Z2JraGsyam85

Jennifer Goodman’s Website: https://www.jenniferagoodman.com/

Lakefront Picture's Website: https://www.lakefrontpictures.com/

Lakefront Picture’s YouTube Page: https://youtube.com/@lakefrontpictures?si=-J0BhzCF5rRe1Wfq

Films Produced by Lakefront Pictures

“Kissed By Glass”: https://youtu.be/PuFdM_NvB8A?si=Pv7KQl8BOiZt_-My

“Wreckless”: https://youtu.be/ggG_Gpfipr4?si=vrKzgQc4pXSqIGF4

“Sweet Molly”: https://youtu.be/qSCUtw3fvdI?si=PinzwJMVG5mAvoIa

“The Unseen”: https://link.tubi.tv/bRYm5JjZL3b

Welcome to the 34th episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing actress and freelancer Connar Brown Sprenger.

Connar Brown Sprenger is an actor, voice-over artist, editor, and producer. Connar approaches every project with a blend of playfulness and professionalism. She commits fully to the work, embraces creativity in all its forms, and isn’t afraid to get a little messy in the process. A natural collaborator, Connar is passionate about storytelling and loves creating work that resonates and brings people joy.

We'll be discussing her upbringings as an artist, the ups and downs of her creative career, share advice for other artists, and Spongebob :)

Conar Brown Sprenger's Website: https://www.connarbrown.com/

Connar Brown Sprenger's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jgcbrown97?igsh=N3kxOHppdndwYzY4

Connar Brown Sprenger's YouTube Page: https://youtube.com/@connarbrown1753?si=DBvAHSqqDxIWX8gX

SheThem Productions Website: https://www.shethemproductions.com/

Films Mentioned:

"Temp-Topia:" https://youtu.be/zGij0Okpzmo?feature=shared

"Couch:" https://youtu.be/qKAtO_hQJew?si=EF6gO06s-Ay6liBa

Welcome to the 33rd episode of the Troubled Artists Podcast. In today's episode, I'm interviewing actor and writer, Ryan Satterfeal.

Ryan Satterfeal is a multi-award-winning actor. Before his ventures on camera, he was a self-taught musician, playing guitar in rock bands and releasing music. His curious and determined nature eventually led him to the stage and screen, where he booked his first roles on community stages, as well as local student films. Ryan's hard work led him to highly lauded television series such as Chicago Med, commercials for known brands, and award-winning films such as Life Unexpected, Poser, and Clown Shoes. Ryan is also an avid reader, as well as screenwriter.

We'll be discussing his upbringings as an actor, the ups and downs of his career, and share advice for actors and artists.

Ryan Satterfeal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryansatterfeal?igsh=MXN2aXRmMnQxc2RwMg==

Ryan Satterfeal IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8215368/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk