How do you leap and follow your dreams?

What does an assistant director actually do?

Join Lalita Gabriela Ballesteros in this episode of Vocal Liberation, where she has an in-depth conversation with Michael Ciminna, an award-winning Assistant Director known for his work on Day Shift (2022), The Black Phone (2022), HBO's "The Outsider" (2020), and Ford v Ferrari (2019).

Michael is a member of the DGA and works as an Assistant Director, as well as an independent writer and director. His latest short film, "By The Campfire" was released April of 2022, and won Best Short Film at the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival.

Mike shares his unconventional journey from aspiring to move to Hawaii to finding his path in the film industry in Georgia. He discusses his early struggles, transitions, and how experimenting with different roles led him to become an Assistant Director.

Additionally, they delve into their love for unique films like 'Punch Drunk Love' and the art of filmmaking. Mike shares insights on the responsibilities of an Assistant Director, the importance of organization, delegation, and patience, and his aspirations as a filmmaker.

Don't miss the inspiring conversation and discover how Mike navigates the dual paths of a secure career and creative passion.

Enjoy!

Bravely, 

Lalita

What we discuss:

00:00 A Life-Changing Decision

01:10 Discovering “Punch-Drunk Love” 

03:11 Analyzing the Film's Impact

04:13 From Audience to Creator

08:15 Journey to Becoming an Assistant Director

15:14 Breaking into the Film Industry

17:57 Roles and Responsibilities of an AD

22:51 Creative Management vs. Filmmaking

23:24 Award-Winning Short Films

23:35 Nostalgic Inspirations

24:08 Labyrinth and Childhood Movies

26:39 Finding My Filmmaking Niche

28:51 Musical Improv and Creativity

32:57 Balancing Career and Creativity

34:38 Proof of Concept: A Filmmaker's Tool

39:08 Upcoming Short Film: Jack's Lantern

40:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode Resources:

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How do you break into the film industry?

What does a Director of Photography actually do?

Today, Lalita welcomes LA native, Justin Aguirre, an accomplished Director of Photography (DP) in the film industry. Justin's work has been seen on Netflix, Apple Plus, Tribeca and more. 

Justin discusses his unique story of becoming a DP. He addresses everyday DP responsibilities, common misconceptions, and the significance of communication, visual aesthetics, and collaboration in storytelling. 

Topics include the challenges of breaking into the industry, renting versus owning gear, and personal anecdotes of career growth and education.

Highlights also cover the impactful use of visual interpretation tools like Shot Deck, practical advice for aspiring filmmakers, and the continuous journey of professional development in the cinematic world.

Enjoy! 

Bravely, 

Lalita Gabriella Ballesteros

What We discuss: 

00:33 The Generosity of Sharing Knowledge

02:18 The Role of a Director of Photography (DP)

02:57 Challenges and Rewards in Narrative Filmmaking

06:46 Building Relationships in the Film Industry

08:43 The Importance of Collaboration and Communication

27:09 Misconceptions About the DP Role

02:13 Introduction to the DP Role

02:28 Responsibilities of a Director of Photography

02:57 Challenges in Narrative Storytelling

04:42 Recent Narrative Projects

08:59 Pre-Production Process

10:52 Production Phase Insights

57:37 Post-Production Involvement

01:01:05 Essential Skills for a DP

01:05:25 Common Misconceptions About DPs

01:07:05 Owning vs. Renting Gear

01:22:49 Personal Journey into Film

01:23:39 Discovering a Passion for Filmmaking

01:24:09 High School Broadcast Journalism

01:24:45 College and Career Beginnings

01:25:47 Craigslist Hustle and Film School Dropout

01:28:38 Working at the Academy Awards

01:29:59 Coping with Loss and Career Growth

01:39:07 Aspirations and Future Goals

02:04:00 Navigating Post-Production Challenges

02:07:32 The Importance of Collaboration and Communication

02:11:35 Misconceptions About the DP Role

01:22:43 The Journey to Becoming a DP

02:45:34 Aspirations for the Future

02:46:44 Current Projects and Film Focus

02:48:19 Social Media and Contact Information

02:57:45 The Journey into Film

03:09:12 Reflections on the Industry

03:18:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode Resources:

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"You bring clarity to my chaos," - Client    

In this episode of Vocal Liberation, host Lalita Gabriela Ballesteros explores the common fear of not being heard or listened to. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's audience and reaching out to those who want and are open to what you have to offer rather than trying to convince those with different value systems.

She encourages listeners to focus on self-care and ensuring they are in a place to serve others before reaching out. Finally, she highlights the concept that presenting authentically is not about demanding acceptance but rather about offering service and delivering transformational experiences to the right audience.

00:00 Introduction to Vocal Liberation

00:53 Understanding the Fear of Not Being Heard

01:57 Identifying Your Audience

06:29 The Importance of Self-Care in Effective Communication

08:51 Delivering Transformational Experiences

08:59 Conclusion: The True Meaning of Service

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Learn the top misconceptions surrounding boundary setting. Verbalizing boundaries is not the first step in setting boundaries. Lalita suggests that the key to setting boundaries is correctly identifying the people, places, and things in our environment and making informed decisions about our interactions with them.

The True Steps to Effective Boundary Setting

Delve into the real essence of boundary setting -- the liberating act of understanding, correctly naming and reacting to the true nature of the people, places, and things in our surroundings. 

The episode promises to enrich viewers with a new perspective on how to protect personal peace and well-being and how to prevent the misuse of our voice and energy. We also encourage self-assessment so you can recognize if you repeatedly find yourself in compromising situations and learn how to navigate them—a potentially unpopular opinion, yet transformative if put into practice.

00:00 Introduction to Vocal Liberation and Boundary Setting

01:04 The Misconception about Verbalizing Boundaries

02:05 The Hyena Analogy: Understanding Your Environment

04:19 Reflecting on Your Circumstances and Patterns

04:50 The Importance of Action and Awareness

05:56 Using Your Voice: Two Key Scenarios

06:19 Understanding the Role of Trust and Commitment

07:14 The Danger of Denial and the Power of Self-Listening

07:21 Summation: The Key to Setting Boundaries

08:32 Conclusion: Protecting Your Peace and Thriving

▽ LET'S GROW YOUR IMPACT TOGETHER▽

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Lalita inspires listeners to follow their passions, trust their intuition, and overcome obstacles on their journey to success and fulfillment.

Creating Passion Through Commitment: Discovering Your Mission in Life

In this inspiring talk, Lalita emphasizes the importance of staying committed to your passions and life goals, despite potential obstacles and financial concerns. She shares insights about the nonlinear journey to success and encourages listeners to embrace their multi-passionate selves rather than suppressing their desires to adhere to societal standards. 

Lalita challenges the notion of 'immediate revenue' over pursuing meaningful projects, validating the potential of these ventures as 'million dollar decisions.' She also mentions the empowering perspective gained from overcoming hardships and encourages listeners to leap, trusting in their ability to figure out the 'how' along the way. The talk urges viewers to prioritize their hearts' desires, take actions that align with their identities, and engage with their aspirations without fear, judgment, or shame.

Drawing on Anita Moorjani's book Dying to be Me, she uses the metaphor of death and rebirth to illustrate personal transformations and the insights they can yield. Ultimately, Lalita encourages embracing the journey towards self-realization, trusting in personal capabilities, and realizing personal potential.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Commitment

01:21 The Dilemma: Passion vs Practicality

01:56 The Journey: Embracing the Unpredictability

02:49 The Struggle: Balancing Fun and Responsibility

05:05 The Revelation: Following Your Heart

05:30 The Transition: From Old to New

06:20 The Insight: The Power of Death and Rebirth

08:06 The Conclusion: Embracing Your True Self

10:12 Final Thoughts and Invitation for Discussion

▽ LET'S GROW TOGETHER▽

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I’m Lalita Gabriella Ballesteros, host of Vocal Liberation, the world’s most meaningful empowerment podcast. I’m so grateful you found us.

I started this podcast in 2024 based on an intuitive hunch and a deep commitment to liberating women’s voices (yours included). Our transformative conversations feature best-in-class experts, celebrities, thought leaders, artists, and athletes so that we can step into our power, fearlessly be ourselves, and bravely do the work we’re really here to do in the world.

Each conversation is real, deep, uplifting, and inspiring. Each episode is designed to help you become more powerful, peaceful, authentic, and free. When you (yes, you) are trained in world-class ways of being, you navigate relationship struggles, work challenges, and life’s ups and downs with greater mastery.

Your support means the world to me, and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with Vocal Liberation. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 100th episode!

▽ APPLY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY VISION CALL ▽

Prepare for one of the most powerful conversations of your life. 

Apply for a complimentary Vision Call using the LINK BELOW, and let's chat.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY VISION CALL

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