Before Valerie Armstrong was able to sell her show "Kevin Can F**k Himself" (spoilers ahead of you haven't watched yet) to AMC, she worked a number of different jobs to pay the rent. Whether it was being an assistant to the owner of a Pistachio farm, working as an NBC Page, or being a writing assistant on "Masters of Sex", these jobs prepared Valerie for the daunting task of creating her own original series. We talked with her about the highs and lows of making it as a writer, what the inside of a writer's room looks like, and how surrounding yourself with the right people makes everything that much better.

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Jeff Brink might currently be known as the CEO of Blackout Lighting Console, but his exploits as a disruptor in the film industry goes back to his days at NYU. In the days when attaching a cinema camera to a drone was unheard of, Jeff and his team were determined to innovate and find a path, paving the way for drone photography as we know it today. Ultimately, this pursuit reached its end and Jeff found himself back in the lighting department. Seeing the change in LED technology while he was away inspired him to make a mobile console app that would improve the role of a board operator in the field. All of his successes and failures in the film and industry have led to this moment, our couch.

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Mayvis Payne got her start in makeup artistry in retail before transitioning to the film industry. While working at MAC cosmetics, Mayvis got her break when a "regular customer" turned out to be a producer for BET who was impressed by her talents later recommended her for work on network shows. Today, she is a self published author with her book "Lipgloss Chronicles," in which she shares her experiences and "spills the tea without breaking the mug". Mayvis also has her own luxury cosmetics brand LIPLOX/LASHLOX providing quality lip glosses, lipsticks, and eyelashes at affordable prices.

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Steve Giralt is a director, DP, and photographer with a side of engineer. He founded The Garage to push the art of tabletop cinematography forward and empower artists to create the most innovative work. Steve talks about what it took to make his famous "burger drop" video, how much easier it would be for him today, and how brands keep him busy pushing the limits of what motion control technology can produce.

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Director of Photography Fletcher Wolfe spent her time working as a juicer, then a gaffer, before finally moving to cinematography. Fletcher recounts the struggle of having to turn down jobs when making a change in departments. Hear about building her own lights, her favorite tools of the trade, and how hard work all pays off as her time on commercials, documentaries, and narrative films has landed her a spot at Sundance more than once.

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Director, Editor, and DP Nick Neofitidis shares stories from his days starting out in the MTV News gear closet, shifting into field work, and eventually getting to shoot and travel as a lone DP. The few essential tools he could bring in his kit were only as useful as the street smarts he had to pick up when traveling through places like South Africa, India, and Peru. Nick's experiences along the way prepared him perfectly to shoot "Reincarnated," the documentary film that captured Snoop Dogg's journey to Jamaica to produce his first reggae record. Tune in and find out how his journey as a one man band earned him both an Emmy and the nickname "Slick Nick."

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Joe Bearese is a stunt driver and co-owner Metro Camera Cars, providing specialty tracking vehicles for film, television, and commercials. Joe talks us through the unique challenges faced when using this specialized equipment from coordinating multiple moving vehicles to maneuvering tight city streets. Whether it's pushing these vehicles to their limits filming F1 cars or waiting to change a dead battery, Joe keeps us on the edge of our seats. Seat belt highly recommended.

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Makeup FX artist Brian Spears takes us behind the scenes, sharing insights into the magical process of transforming everyday faces and bodies into extraordinary masterpieces for film, television, and more. From crafting intricate prosthetics to seamlessly blending reality with fantasy, Brian possesses a unique blend of artistic vision and technical prowess. Come along on this captivating journey of wizardry you won't want to miss!

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Dive into the creative brilliance of Christelle de Castro, a renowned commercial Director and Photographer, whose work has made an indelible mark on the industry. Hear how she went from living and working in a dark NYC basement to co-founding the international production company Ground Work. Christelle's visionary touch extends to campaigns for global brands including Nike, Samsung, Supreme, Coach, Lululemon, Calvin Klein, and more, solidifying her as a creative powerhouse in the field.

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Costume Designer Rebecca Hofherr takes us behind the scenes of movies like Winter's Bone and Good Burger 2, unraveling the creative process, and challenges of creating iconic costumes. Whether it's unexpected encounters with with celebrities like Meryl Streep or working closely Jennifer Lawrence, Rebecca goes deep into the nuances of costume design in today's ever-evolving film industry! Hear some of the untold stories of the film world, including a gripping account involving a PA entangled on the wrong side of the law.

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