Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industry
Join actress and host Michelle Simone Miller and hear from the most interesting people in Entertainment, as well as the inside scoop on all of your favorite films and TV shows. Each week Michelle talks to Directors, Producers, Network Execs, Actors and more, to learn how they started, how they moved up, and any tips they've learned along the way. Mentors on the Mic is the place to find Mentorship without having to ask for it.
Bonus · Mon, February 24, 2025
Help me REBRAND Mentors on the Mic podcast with Marketing expert Abby Zufelt
Marketing Expert and Podcast Host Abby Zufelt walks us through the rebrand of her podcast, Working Girl Talk , sharing with us her tips on rebranding our projects. “Branding is one of my favorite topics and as somebody who just went through a really long branding journey, I’m happy to help and share my thoughts on this.” Some questions we went over include: 1. What is the mission? What do I do? What am I trying to convey to people? 2. Abby walks us through her three lists exercise so we can align your current brand with your aspirational brand. 3. What is the experience you want people to feel? This will reflect in the music, fonts, brand motifs, and color palette. 4. Brand looks, complete with accessories and props. and... Does she recommend erasing your former branding on Instagram? Guest: Working Girl Talk podcast Website Instagram Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out<a href="https://kite.link/jayfrancis" target="_blank" rel="ugc
S5 E20 · Mon, February 10, 2025
Becoming... Executive Producer and Director Ken Girotti (FBI: Most Wanted)
Ken Girotti has had a hand in the creation of hundreds of hours of television episodes, pilots, television movies and film and received multiple award nominations. His television movie MAYERTHORPE garnered the best director award from the Director’s Guild of Canada. Recently Ken has been Executive Producer/Director on FBI MOST WANTED (CBS). He served the same role on ANNE WITH AN E (Netflix). He Executive Produced and Directed both seasons of PURE (Hulu/WGN) and was a Producer and Director on the CBC miniseries FORTUNATE SON. He directed half the episodes of the first three seasons of VIKINGS (History Channel), episodes of DAREDEVIL (Netflix), LAW & ORDER ORGANIZED CRIME (NBC), ORPHAN BLACK (BBC America), FRONTIER (Netflix), THE STRAIN (FX Networks), THE CROSSING (ABC), COPPER (BBC America), DAMAGES (FX Networks), RESCUE ME (FX Networks). Pilots and movies for television he’s shot include CRA$H & BURN, SABBATICAL, THE DEALERSHIP, and BEFRIEND & BETRAY. Currently Ken has numerous projects in development with Scott Einbinder’s 5X Media He splits his time between New York City, Madrid and Toronto. In this episode, we talk about: • Started in theater and craft services before assisting directing (which wasn’t the right fit for him) • Working on the famous “The Ides of March” episode on Xena: Warrior Princess with Lucy Lawless • Gigging on various shows vs working a few episodes of one show or what he calls “a tonic” • Tips for actors on their self tapes • His approach to a new script and how much time he has for prep • How do you add producing to your role as a director of an episode of a show • What it means to be a creative gatekeeper of a show like FBI: Most Wanted • How he handles show runners, producers, and writers “meddling” while maintaining his creative vision as a director • Tips for directors in training • Lightning round with his thoughts on shows he’s worked on including: 24 with Kiefer Sutherland, Season 1 of Supernatural , New Amsterdam , White Collar , Covert Affairs , Rescue Me , La Femme Nikita , Nikita , Vikings , Pure , Orphan Black , Anne with an E with co-showrunner Moira Walley-Beckett (about to do Fourth Wing series), and FBI: Most Wanted • What episodes Ken directs of FBI: Most Wanted and how does he choose who directs other episodes Guest: IMDb Wikipedia Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michel
S5 E19 · Mon, January 20, 2025
Becoming... Creative Director for Graphic Audio Scott McCormick ("Fourth Wing," "Iron Flame," "Onyx Storm")
Scott McCormick, has been an audiobook director, adaptor and narrator for over 10 years. In that time he has directed and adapted over a hundred books and narrated and provided voices for well over a thousand book. He has played many characters through the years including the lead roles in Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David and The Ishmael Jones by Simon R. Green. He has also lent his voice to dozens of audiocomic book characters including Venom, The Thing and most recently Hellboy. A native of Baltimore, he moved to the DC metro area in 1999 to pursue a career in theatre, wanting to avoid any chance of fame by not moving to New York or LA. He just north of DC with the love of his life, Jillian. In this episode, we talk about: • A breakdown of his role as Creative Director and Director Training Manager at Graphic Audio • Process for creating the dramatized audiobook for Graphic Audio • How COVID expanded their roster of actors • How long production and post-production takes for a book like Fourth Wing or Iron Flame or Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros • Reading Onyx Storm and starting in mid-February • Surprise at the success of ACOTAR and Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, especially on Tik Tok • How he envisions a character on the page • Advice for starting in Voiceover including recommended hardware and software • A great voice for Graphic Audio and the ways to submit to Graphic Audio as a VO artist Guest: Graphic Audio profile X profile IMDb The Empyrean 1: Fourth Wing (1 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation) - Also available wherever you listen to audiobooks Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website:<a href="http:
S5 E18 · Mon, January 06, 2025
Becoming... Voiceover Actress & Filmmaker Khaya Fraites (Graphic Audio's Violet Sorrengail in "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame")
Khaya Fraites is a voice and film actor based in New York City. She has narrated books such as the full cast versions of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from GraphicAudio and has performed in video games such as World of Warcraft, Diablo 4, and Blumhouse games’ first release: Fear the Spotlight. You can also catch her in animated shows such as Pokémon Paldean Winds, Quantum Heroes Dinoster and Rainbow High. Khaya is also a filmmaker and has made short films that have screen at festivals such as Virginia Film Fest and, Big Apple Film Fest. In this episode, we talk about: • Her start in Voiceover in 2020 and what she used for her first voiceover reel on Backstage • Her initial voiceover setup (including equipment and software) and how it compares to her setup and space • The first websites she would submit to and what she submits to now • How she started at Graphic Audio and recording for their database • Recording narration and/or dialogue for Graphic Audio books like Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Crescent City, and Zodiac Academy • The experience of the Iron Flame audiobook blowing up • Working on animation and video games and booking VO work on twitter • Advice for people who want to get into voiceover Guest: Website Audible Instagram IMDb Tik Tok Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and <a href="www.mentorsonthemic.com" target="_b
Bonus · Mon, December 09, 2024
The 7 "Rules" That Actors Should Break w/ Joshua Morgan of the Creative Risk podcast
Joshua : Joshua is a diverse, singing actor who has worked on Broadway and regionally at esteemed theaters such as Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Theatre Under the Stars, Folger Theatre, Triad Stage, and Signature Theatre. His television appearances include "FBI," "Law and Order," "Law and Order: Organized Crime," "Law and Order: SVU," "Lincoln Rhyme," and HBO’s "Paterno." Joshua co-founded and served as Artistic Director of the Helen Hayes Award-winning No Rules Theatre Company in Washington, DC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Mike Labbadia (co-host) an actor, producer, writer and filmmaker, a “multipassionate” you can say. As a company member of BEDLAM he's appeared Off-Broadway in shows from Arcadia to Julius Caesar. Regional work includes Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Gulfshore Playhouse, Penguin Rep and Virginia Rep. He's in the upcoming film "On the End" with Tim Blake Nelson. As a producer he's had films premiere at prestigious festivals around the world. In this episode, we discuss these "Rules" actors should break: 06:15 - Rule 1 - Don't pitch yourself Sent 37 self pitching emails, without an agent, and booked a Broadway show 9:03 - Rule 2 - Don't complain to our Reps 12:45 - Rule 3 - We can only be one "kind of artist" 17:15 - Rule 4 - Wait until you have a big project to grow an audience 21:20 - Rule 5 - Don't actively pursue industry relationships 15:52 - Rule 6 - Take on Gig work to support your career 30:29 - Rule 7 - Let the Industry define you as an artist PODCAST DESCRIPTION: “CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts. Guest: For Joshua Morgan : Website IMDb Instagram Broadway World For Podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts <a href="https://www.you
S5 E17 · Mon, December 02, 2024
Becoming... VP of Shorts Programming of Tribeca Festival Ben Thompson
A graduate from Aberystwyth University, BEN THOMPSON left Wales and London to settle in New York. Soon after arriving he joined the Tribeca Film Festival where he is currently the VP of Shorts Programming. From the start of his career as a filmmaker Ben has always had a keen interest in short form storytelling and discovered while at Tribeca a passion for programming and presenting short films to new and engaged audiences. He is fascinated by the influence film has on our world and culture and travels to search out new stories from around the globe. He has watched over 12,000 short films for Tribeca alone. In this episode, we talk about: • Internships that prepared him for working at Tribeca Festival • Pros/Cons for submitting early to film festivals • The process for programming short film blocks for the festival and advice for short film filmmakers who want to submit to festivals like Tribeca (timing, theme, etc) • Whether filmmakers can monetize short films and the value from having your short in a festival • Festivals are seasonal work and the different festivals he used to work in one year and moving to a full time position • What goes into a Festival Coordinator position and working as a liaison between the festival and the filmmakers • Whether it’s important to have celebrities or famous people in short films • What’s important in a cover letter - description and how you are positioning your film • What he recommends is the most important investment in creating your short film. • Benefits he’s seen of screening at Tribeca and other opportunities available for short film filmmakers at the festival • Internal scoring process at Tribeca • Advice for those who want to be a programmer at a festival Guest: LinkedIn Tribeca Profile 2025 Tribeca Festival Submissions overview Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Faceboo
S5 E16 · Mon, November 11, 2024
Hampton Film Festival Filmmaker Roundtable - TORNADO, THE SOLACE OF SISTERHOOD, QUILTERS, EQUAL PLAY (Part 2)
Presenting... Part 2 of my Filmmaker Roundtable at the Hampton International Film Festival. In this episode, we talk to the filmmaking teams of four short films. We delve into the process of creating their films and their experience at the festival. Including: Director Jack Kendrick and Producer Taylor Ervin for TORNADO: A struggling contractor risks his young sons’ wellbeing to cut a sweet deal. Director Geneva Peschka and Cinematographer Safiyah Chiniere for THE SOLACE OF SISTERHOOD: The Caramel Curves are an all-Black female biker crew in New Orleans that defies societal norms by embracing their multifaceted identities. Director Jenifer McShane for QUILTERS: The movie follows a men's quilting group inside a maximum security prison as they create personalized quilts for local foster children. Director Lily Ahree Siegel for EQUAL PLAY: The movie delves into the lives of disabled youth, uncovering the transformative power that sports can wield. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out Hampton Film Festival Filmmaker Roundtable - ADULT BEST FRIENDS, LOS FRIKIS, A MAN WITH SOLE: THE IMPACT OF KENNETH COLE (Part 1) <a href="https://www.mentorsonthemic.com/post/tribeca-series-resources-programs-a
S5 E15 · Mon, October 28, 2024
TRIBECA: Becoming... Award-winning Filmmaker Tom Nesher (Come Closer)
Tom Nesher - Director & Writer Born in Los Angeles in 1996, Tom Nesher is a graduate of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School. She directed four award winning shorts, and has created dozens of unique freeform documentary pieces as a journalist at one of Israel’s most prominent networks. Come Closer is Nesher’s debut feature film. Logline: When Eden’s beloved brother suddenly dies, she takes desperate measures to fill the void. Once she discovers he had a secret girlfriend, these measures assume a passionate and dangerous twist. The 2024 Israeli film Come Closer won several awards, including Best Film at the Ophir Awards, and will represent Israel at the 97th Academy Awards. Come Closer won the Viewpoints Award at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. It recognizes films that present "bold and exceptional voices" in independent cinema. In this episode, we talk about: • Her first feature film ‘Come Closer’ after directing three short films • The 5 year filmmaking process which included 4 months of rehearsal • Adapting the film as she processed her grief over the years • Tom’s experience at Tribeca Film Festival • Her unique process with her actors: they read it, they improvised the scenes, and then Tom rewrote it • Her advice for filmmakers is to trust and listen to your crew and your team Guest: IMDb Instagram Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/use
S5 E14 · Mon, October 21, 2024
Hampton Film Festival Filmmaker Roundtable - ADULT BEST FRIENDS, LOS FRIKIS, A MAN WITH SOLE: THE IMPACT OF KENNETH COLE (Part 1)
Presenting... Part 1 of my Filmmaker Roundtable at the Hampton International Film Festival. In this episode, we talk to the filmmaking teams of two feature narratives and one documentary. We delve into the process of creating their films and their experience at the festival. Including: Delaney Buffet (Director, Lead Actress, Writer) and Katie Corwin (Lead Actress, Writer) for Adult Best Friends. Nothing holds a mirror up to your life more than the examination of a friend from childhood. While Katie ( Katie Corwin ) should be celebrating her engagement to John ( Mason Gooding ), she can't help but fret over what her best friend, Delaney ( Delaney Buffett ), will think. Driftless and unambitious, her opinions and feelings matter most to Katie. In an effort to reconnect and break the news gently, she plans a girls' trip to assuage her codependent friend, setting the stage for a hilarious buddy comedy. With an attractive cast (including Zachary Quinto , Cazzie David and Alexander Hodge ) and zippy dialogue, closeness and self-deprecating humor are felt through the screen. Michael Schwartz (Writer, Director - Los Frikis, Peanut Butter Falcon), Eros de la Puente (Actor), and Hector Medina (Actor) for Los Frikis . Inspired by the audacity and resilience of kindred souls facing the challenges of Special Period Cuba, the plot tells the story of youthful members of a punk rock band, who, seeking musical freedom, relief from poverty, and a sense of independence, purposely infect themselves with HIV. This allows them entry to an isolated government run sanatorium where they live life on their own terms, forging a seemingly utopian community and looking to an uncertain future with hope and resilience. Dori Berinstein (Director) for A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole . More than just a global fashion icon, footwear designer Kenneth Cole has put cause before commerce for 40 years, driven by heart and 'sole.' Undoubtedly a trendsetter, Cole inspired and mobilized cultural norms and perceptions for the better as a pioneer of corporate social action; he advocated for social causes—from HIV/AIDS and homelessness to LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health—through his groundbreaking advertising campaigns. Featuring a treasure trove of archival footage and interviews with fashion leaders, global scientists, and longtime collaborators, Tony and Emmy Award winner Dori Bernstein celebrates Cole’s enduring legacy of combining style with social conscience. Host: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mentorsonthemic/?hl=en" rel="ugc noop
S5 E13 · Mon, October 07, 2024
Becoming... Movie Producer Carol Baum "Father of the Bride" "Dead Ringers" "The Good Girl"
Carol Baum has produced thirty-four movies, seventeen of them independently. Before becoming an independent producer, Baum was co-president of Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin’s production company, for ten years, where she produced such hits as Father of the Bride; the Academy Award-winning HBO documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt; Tidy Endings; I.Q.; Jacknife; True Identity; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Gross Anatomy; Shining Through; Straight Talk; and Kicking and Screaming. As an indie producer, Baum made, among other movies, The Good Girl; My First Mister; $5 A Day; You Kill Me; and Boychoir. She has produced five television movies for Hallmark and several documentaries. Baum currently teaches producing in the Film and Television Production Division at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is also a mentor for the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. In this episode, we talk about: • The lesson she learned working at her first job at Bantam Books which led to the purchase and development of the autobiography of Malcolm X • Being an advocate for the material and develop your taste • Getting pregnant and working freelance for awhile • Her 5 years at Palomar Pictures working on projects like The Stepford Wives and then moving to LA with her husband and becoming the studio VP at Lorimar • Becoming known for developing “The Shining” at the Producer’s Circle • Being a VP at 20th Century Fox and what she sees as the difference between a producer and an Executive • Working at Dolly Parton’s company Sandollar • How The Fountainhead made her love the business and why she thinks its important for young producers to watch movies from the 40s and 50s • Launching the careers of David O. Russell and Mike White • The story of developing with Father of the Bride and getting the rights from Ted Turner, the invention of Martin Short’s character, and how Jack Nicholson was thrown as a possibility for Steve Martin’s role • Developing multiple projects as a producer and how it’s all about timing. She said that if David Cronenberg hadn’t had success with The Fly, he wouldn’t have been able to do Dead Ringers. • Her recommendations for writers on what is commercially viable right now • Carol’s explanation for spec scripts for films • Her recommendation for writers on how to get an agent Guest: IMDb Wikipedia Website Buy her book!<
S5 E12 · Mon, September 16, 2024
Becoming... Festival Director and Senior VP of Programming at Tribeca Festival Cara Cusumano
Cara Cusumano has been with Tribeca since 2008, during which time the festival has become a globally respected showcase for film and TV premieres, live music, talks, interdisciplinary events, and talent discovery. During her tenure as Festival Director, Tribeca has been called “an annual powerhouse” (Time Out), “reliably and inarguably excellent” (Village Voice), and “one of the most prestigious festivals of the new millennium” (Playlist). She has served on nominating committees for the Cinema Eye Honors, the International Documentary Association Awards, the Gotham Awards, and the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, and festival juries including CPH:DOX, Los Cabos Film Festival, DOC NYC, Nordisk Panorama, Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM), and the Nantucket Film Festival. She holds a degree in Film from Columbia University’s Barnard College, and an MA in Cinema Studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In this episode, we talk about: • Internships and her first job as short film programmer at Brooklyn Film Festival • The different programming teams involved in Tribeca and how she oversees them all • Choosing films to be featured at Tribeca • Typical day-to-day routine • Networking at film festival and how do you get a seasonal job there • Famous filmmakers/cast vs unknown first time filmmakers and films coming with distribution and film coming in without distribution • Want a job at Tribeca or any festival? Cara’s recommendation for a starting position in the screening committee • Advice for filmmakers who are hoping to get their film into a festival including in the pre-production and post-production stages of their films • How to identify what films are “right” for Tribeca Festival • Collaborations and partnerships with brands like Chanel, Mazda, Indeed, AT&T, and Canva Guest: Linkedin Instagram Tribeca Website Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website:
S5 E11 · Mon, September 09, 2024
Becoming... President and Chief Content Officer of HARTBEAT Bryan Smiley
Bryan Smiley is President & Chief Content Officer of Hartbeat, the global multi-platform media company founded by Kevin Hart. Named to Variety’s 2022 “New Leaders” and Hollywood Reporter’s 2018 ”Next Gen” and “Rising Executives 35 under 35” lists, Smiley oversees Hartbeat production, financing, and development, including the company’s 70+ projects in development and more than 20 projects released in 2022 across top tier partners including Netflix, Peacock, SiriusXM, Netflix, Audible and more. In 2021, Smiley negotiated a first look deal with Netflix to produce feature films for the streamer, a strategic move that would allow Hartbeat to continue creating content during a global pandemic. Smiley was also instrumental in getting Fatherhood released on Netflix, which was watched by more than 91 million accounts globally, making it one of the most successful original dramatic movies on Netflix. Since then, Smiley oversaw and produced Me Time and True Story , which went to #1 on the Netflix charts, and produced the upcoming 2024 film Lift . In this episode, we talk about: • Working as an assistant story editor out of college and how networking helped him get to New Regency • How his early assistant roles taught him about the business and how he identified where the company needed help and resources • His work as Vice President of Creative Development & Production at Columbia Pictures, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company • How the range of his individual companies that he co-founded (list them) help him in his role today • Why he’s never had a fear of failure and the reality of starting a business • How he transitioned to development with an executive position at a studio • Some of his favorite deals at SONY with Steph Curry a multi-picture deal with Issa Rae • A breakdown of the divisions at Hartbeat and his rise to President and CCO • Their hands-on, full-service approach to projects including their show “Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompson” on Peacock • His 4 picture guarantee and first look deal with Netflix and his thoughts on the importance of a first look deal in the current marketplace • How they decide what project to take on and develop? • Some pivotal moments and decisions that impacted his career Guest: Linkedin Hartbeat website IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic <a
S5 E10 · Mon, September 02, 2024
Becoming... VP of Casting at CBS Entertainment Rob Decina
ROB DECINA - In December of 2018, Rob Decina was named VP, Casting in NY for CBS Studios. He has contributed to the casting of many shows across several broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, including: Your Honor, The Comey Rule (SHOWTIME), Nancy Drew & The Dynasty (CW), Diary of a Future President (Disney+), Guilty Party & The Game (Paramount+) and Swagger ( Apple TV+). At CBS, he developed two programs: a Casting Fellowship, designed to encourage diversity and inclusion in the profession of casting, and an Educational Outreach Program, where he speaks to colleges and conservatories about auditioning. Previous episodic television casting credits include, Insatiable for Netflix, Shades of Blue for NBC, as well as pilots for the CW Network. His book, The Art of Auditioning: Techniques for Television had its second edition published in April of 2022. In this episode, we talk about: • Directing and casting internships and first full time job was a casting assistant at Warner Bros • How a forgotten resume at Disney led to a job at Warner Bros • His personal favorite story of working The West Wing • Differences between working for a network and working freelance with your own casting office and why networks focus on pilots and hire out for the rest of the season • The projects he had turned down at Rob Decina casting • Casting a soap opera like Guiding Light for a decade and how different it was in comparison to other projects • Role of VP of Casting at CBS Entertainment (combination of studio and network) and how it works there • Tips for dealing with nerves ahead of the in-person audition or callback • Accepting an associate position later in his career • His book: The Art of Auditioning: Techniques for Television Guest: IMDb LinkedIn Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and <a href="www.
S5 E9 · Mon, August 12, 2024
Becoming... award-winning Casting Director Bernie Telsey ("The Color Purple," "The Idea of You," "Hamilton," "SMASH," "Wicked," "The Gilded Age"
With 15 wins and 76 nominations, Bernard Telsey is one of the premier Casting Directors in the industry. Casting our favorite films, television shows, and Broadway shows, Telsey Casting is well known for excellence in casting. From the original production of RENT to NBC's This Is Us to Only Murders in the Building to Wicked (both the upcoming movie and the show), their office is constantly busy. In this episode, we talk about: • His first job as a casting assistant and building his rolodex of actors • Casting RENT as an off-Broadway musical and why it was a difficult year long process • Putting an ad in the Village Voice for a rock musician for RENT • That ideally, he would like to be part of the early development process of a project • Giving Casting their credit and how that has evolved • How is the office doing post-pandemic • What he sees in actors who shine with 4 lines or for a lead role, like in the case of Annaleigh Ashford • How actors can get on their radar and what projects Telsey is working on now Guest: Website Wikipedia MCC Website Instagram for MCC Theater Instagram for The Telsey Office IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out <a href="https://kite.link/susanne" target="_blank" rel="noopener norefer
S5 E8 · Mon, August 05, 2024
Tribeca: LIVE on the Red Carpet of ALL THAT WE LOVE with Margaret Cho, Missi Pyle, Kenneth Choi, and Devon Bostick
LIVE on the Red Carpet of the World Premiere of the film "All That We Love." Starring: MARGARET CHO (Cast) JESSE TYLER FERGUSON (Cast) KENNETH CHOI (Cast) (Halloweentown, Captain America, Ironside, American Crime Story, The Wolf of Wall Street ALICE LEE (Cast) ATSUKO OKATSUKA (Cast) DEVON BOSTICK (Cast) (Pppenheimer, Saw 4 and 5, Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies) YEN TAN (Writer, Director) Missi Pyle (Just my Luck, Soul Place, A Cinderella Story (with Lucy Hale), Dodgeball, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) Logline: Upon the loss of her beloved dog, Emma Gwon faces an empty nest and renewed feelings for her estranged ex-husband, as she navigates the joy and sorrow of starting anew. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle For more like this, try NYWIFT Muse Awards RED CARPET: Kyra Sedgwick, Alex Borstein, Tantoo Cardinal & more Click here to join our Mailing list. Image: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Devon Bostick, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Atsuko Okatsuka, Yen Tan, Alice Lee and Kenneth Choi attend the "All That We Love" premiere during the 2024 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 08, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
S5 E7 · Mon, July 29, 2024
Tribeca: LIVE on the Red Carpet of SACRAMENTO with Michael Angarano, Chris Smith, AJ Mendez, and Iman Karram
LIVE on the Red Carpet of the World Premiere of the film "Sacramento." Starring: Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, and Maya Erskine Written by: Michael Angarano and Chris Smith Interviews including Michael Angarano, Chris Smith, AJ Mendez, and Iman Karram Logline: Ricky, an energetic and free-spirited young man convinces Glenn, his long-time friend who's settled into domestic life, to go on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle For more like this, try NYWIFT Muse Awards RED CARPET: Kyra Sedgwick, Alex Borstein, Tantoo Cardinal & more Click here to join our Mailing list. B-roll Videos: Edited by Getty Video @ Getty Images "Sacramento" Premiere - 2024 Tribeca Festival (EPK Clips HD)
S5 E6 · Mon, July 22, 2024
How I Got my Press Badge for Tribeca Festival - 4th Anniversary Solo Episode
Video Available on Spotify. This year, I achieved one of my goals of covering a Film Festival for my podcast. I interviewed big actors, incredible filmmakers, Tribeca programmers, and enjoyed myself immensely. In this special 4th Anniversary episode of Mentors on the Mic, I share: • What made me feel more confident and relaxed at this Film Festival in comparison to others • How I booked red carpets and big interviews with Lisa Edelstein, Margaret Cho, Gina Torres, Mark Duplass, Katie Aselton, Tim Blake Nelson, and more • How I just missed interviewing Michael Cera and Jesse Tyler Ferguson • My tips for anyone planning to attend a Film Festival Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out TRIBECA: Lisa Edelstein and Gina Torres discuss "THE EVERYTHING POT" Video edited by Gideon Friedman
S5 E5 · Mon, July 08, 2024
Becoming... Casting Director Susanne Scheel ("Past Lives," "The Wife")
Susanne Scheel is a New York-based casting director with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television from Boston University. Susanne has won three Casting Society of America Artios Awards for Excellence in Casting and has been nominated for nine more. Susanne has had the honor of collaborating with several visionary creatives including Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Frances McDormand, Barry Levinson, George Clooney, Kasi Lemmons, Ryan Murphy, Jim Mickle, Cherien Dabis, John Lee Hancock, Peter Chelsom, Celine Song, Dean Craig, Bjorn Runge, Xavier Manrique, Danya Taymor, Patrick Wilson, and Whitney White. She has worked for and with some of the industry’s top casting directors including spending the last ten years and counting working with Ellen Chenoweth. As a casting director, Susanne’s debut feature film “The Wife”, starred Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, Annie Starke, Max Irons, Harry Lloyd, and Elizabeth McGovern. More recently, Susanne co-cast Celine Song’s “Past Lives” with Ellen Chenoweth. “Past Lives” premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival and also screened at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. In this episode, we talk about: • Her first casting internships in Boston and her first assistant role in LA • Vivid memory of working with the Coen brothers and asking her “What do you think?” • Going to LA for periods of time for a project and what coast she prefers • Why there are more female CDs then male CDs • Casting the Oscar-nominated film Past Lives and the challenges COVID and the time difference to Korea posed • How many actors get called in for an average day player role • Tips for actors for auditions Guest: IMDb LinkedIn SAG-AFTRA Foundation panel - Casting Directors for Oscar Best Picture Nominees Barbie, American Fiction, & Past Lives Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and <a href="www.mentorsonthem
Bonus · Fri, July 05, 2024
TRIBECA: LIVE on the Red Carpet with Mark Duplass ("The Morning Show"), Ora Duplass, & Director/Actress Katie Aselton
I had the opportunity to go LIVE on the RED CARPET at Tribeca for three movies. The first was interview the Duplass family for their film "Oh, Christmas Tree." This 11 minute short film was shot in their cabin in upstate NY. It truly was a family affair, written by Mark Duplass to star in with his daughter Ora Duplass, and directed by Katie Aselton, Mark's wife and Ora's mom. I asked them a couple of questions about shooting this short film and working together. It was Ora's first time in a film, so I asked her about her preparation for this role and whether it felt performative to ask with her Dad. I also asked about advice for filmmakers. I truly found this particular short very inspiring. They shot this as a family, with only one extra person to record sound. I was able to tie in a fun question at the end! Synopsis: It’s been a bit of a year for 16 year-old Claire and her father Ben. All they really want to do is put it behind them. But Christmas is here and their silly holiday traditions are staring them dead in the face, practically taunting these two to give them a try after all they’ve been through. This short film by the Duplass family is as much an examination of mental health as it is an attempt to explore the emotional minefield of ever-shifting family dynamics. Mark Duplass - Mark is a filmmaker, actor, writer and musician. His credits include Bombshell , Safety Not Guaranteed , Tammy , The Mindy Project , and Charlie "Chip" Black on The Morning Show . Wikipedia IMDb Katie Aselton - Katie is an actress, director and filmmaker. Her acting credits include Bombshell , The Morning Show , Old Dads , Veep , Book Club , and Curb Your Enthusiasm . Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle For more like th
S5 E4 · Mon, July 01, 2024
Becoming... Senior Editor at Skyhorse Publishing Nicole Frail
Nicole Frail is a senior editor at Skyhorse Publishing, a traditional publishing company based in New York City. She has been with the company more than a decade and currently works on both adult and children's titles in both fiction and nonfiction categories. She has worked with debut authors and illustrators, as well as New York Times bestsellers, James Beard Award winners, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musicians. In this episode, we talk about: • Getting a full time publishing internship in NY from outside the city • What goes into the role of an editorial assistant and getting that promotion only a couple of weeks into her internship • Whether it's important to have challenging words in books for that age range • What makes Skyhorse different from other publishing houses • How long it will take an author to see their book printed through traditional publishing (often 12-18 months) but that Skyhorse can get it out faster in certain instances • Advice to promote your book and whether they look for a high social media following and engagement • If it’s worth getting illustrations for your book when submitting • Self publishing vs traditional publishing • Advice to authors for querying including synopsis, log line, and bio (why are you coming to me in first paragraph) and comparative title advice *Note: We recorded this episode a few months ago. As of July 3rd, 2024, Nicole is no longer at Skyhorse. She is devoting her time to her small business, Nicole Frail Edits. Guest: Website Contact Nicole Frail Linkedin Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out Mini-Series: Creating Atomic
S5 E1 · Mon, July 01, 2024
Becoming... Senior Literary Agent at Transatlantic Agency Timothy Travaglini
Since 1994, Timothy Travaglini has worked in trade marketing for Scholastic, Inc.; been a bookseller for Books of Wonder, an all-children’s bookstore in New York City; and has edited for Henry Holt and Company, Walker & Company, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, and Open Road Integrated Media where he was the director of children’s acquisitions. Tim is now a Senior Agent at Transatlantic Agency. He primarily represents authors and illustrators of book for young readers of all ages, and select fiction and nonfiction for adults. Books he has acquired and edited have been, among other things, #1 New York Times bestsellers, a Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction winner, have been made into an award-winning musical, made into an award-winning animated television show (currently on Netflix), and traveled on board the International Space Station. He has edited, published, and now represents artists and authors who either previously won, or have gone on to win, nearly every award and honor under the sun. He has edited an American Library Association’s 10 Most Frequently Challenged book as well as a Christianity Today Book Award for Fiction winner. In this episode, we talk about: • Trade Marketing at Scholastic after 9 months of temp work and being Clifford the Big Red Dog for his boss’s kid’s birthday party • What are the responsibilities of an editor • Unpaid intern at Henry Holt agency while being a bookseller at Books of Wonder • All the ways to grow the success of the book including selling the translations and film rights • Difference between working at a mid size company like Henry Holt vs a big company like Penguin and how that affects the writer • Advice he gives authors to market their books in this industry and the mindset a writer needs to have right now • Having a book at a bigger publishing house vs a smaller publishing house • How many books get sold at a typical school visit and tips for making them successful • Other recommendations for authors to market a book and who are the gatekeepers • Whether he recommends authors hiring PR teams and when that would be helpful • Books turning into animated series such as “Oddball” on Netflix and “Fangbone!” available on Prime Video and other work on Nickelodeon • What he hopes to see in a query letter, including bio, synopsis, page count, word count Guest: Website LinkedIn Twitter <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thedevilwearsbowties/
S5 E2 · Fri, June 28, 2024
TRIBECA: Tim Blake Nelson, Andrew Liner and Vincent Grashaw for "BANG BANG"
TIM BLAKE NELSON - Actor, writer, director, and producer Tim Blake Nelson has appeared in over ninety feature films, including Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, Ang Lee’s Billy Lynne’s Long Halftime Walk, Louis Letterier’s The Incredible Hulk, Jay Roach’s Meet the Fockers, Steven Gaghan’s Syriana, Miguel Arteta’s The Good Girl, Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line, Andrew Davis’ Holes, and the Coen Brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou? Nelson also starred as the title character in Netflix’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, written and directed by the Coen Brothers. He next appears in Marvel’s Captain America: New World Order, reprising his role as “Samuel Sterns” from The Incredible Hulk. Andrew Liner - Andrew Liner can most recently be seen starring in Peacock’s VAMPIRE ACADEMY from Executive Producer Julie Plec and can currently be seen in HBO Max’s original film, GRAY MATTER. Next up, he will be shooting a lead role in Destry Spielberg’s directorial debut, PLEASE DON’T FEED THE CHILDREN opposite Michelle Dockery. Vincent Grashaw - Director/Editor And Then I Go with Melanie Lynskey, Justin Long, and newcomers Arman Darbo and Sawyer Barth. Also, What Josaiah Saw and Coldwater. Synopsis: Retired pugilist Bernard “Bang Bang” Rozyski (Tim Blake Nelson) is inspired to try his hand at training once he reconnects with his estranged grandson. While their training brings Bang Bang out of the hole he’s been living in, everyone questions his motivations, including an ex-girlfriend from decades ago, who was privy to Bang Bang’s meteoric rise in the sport in the 80s as well as the rivalry with his former opponent, her cousin and Detroit's Mayoral candidate Darnell Washington. Is Bang Bang merely passing down inherited rage, or is there true altruism behind his tutelage? Questions: Vincent Grashaw: How did he come across this script from Will Janowitz? Why he chose to edit the entire film and taking a month? How did editing inform your directing? How did his background inform what he wanted to say about boxing? Tim Blake Nelson: How did this script come to you? What went into the preparation for this film? Andrew Liner: What was the audition like? How did you guys do his signature droopy eye and why was that important to include? Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
S5 E1 · Mon, June 17, 2024
TRIBECA: Lisa Edelstein and Gina Torres discuss "THE EVERYTHING POT"
LISA EDELSTEIN - From her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the hit Fox series “House” to her star turn as Abby McCarthy in Bravo’s first scripted series “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” Lisa Edelstein’s range of roles are as diverse as her talent. “Girlfriends’ Guide” is a dramedy following a best-selling author of a self-help series who separates from her husband and must navigate big career changes and the dating world as a newly single mother. Edelstein also starred in the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and AFI Award-winning Netflix series “The Kominsky Method,” starring Michael Douglas and created by Chuck Lorre. Edelstein plays Phoebe, the drug-addled hot mess daughter of Alan Arkin’s character. In addition, she juggled an arc on Ryan Murphy’s “911: Lonestar” which reunites her with her “West Wing” paramour, Rob Lowe. She portrayed his call-girl girlfriend on the show. GINA TORRES - Gina Torres has spent the past thirty years establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the screen. With her fan-favorite character of Jessica Pearson on USA Network’s hit original series “Suits,” Torres broke boundaries when, in 2019, she became the first Afro-Latina to create, star in and produce a TV series, “Pearson,” which saw Jessica take on the world of Chicago politics. The role was a life changing one, earning Torres an ALMA Award, an Imagen Award (as well as multiple additional Imagen nominations), and the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Award for Outstanding Performance in a Television Series and the Visionary Award from the LA Femme Film Festival. Currently, Torres can be seen on FOX’s “9-1-1: Lone Star,” portraying paramedic captain Tommy Vega, who answered a call to action and returned to work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. THE EVERYTHING POT 2024 Tribeca Film Festival | Spotlight Narrative | World Premiere SYNOPSIS A comedy of errors ensues when empty nester Rachel (Lisa Edelstein) hastily sends a gift to Charlie (James Wolk), a former colleague, upon receiving his wedding invitation. The young couple’s wedding gets Rachel out of her perpetual state of ennui in her own marriage and brings unexpected excitement, which inadvertently causes chaos in both unions. As one domino falls after another, cracks begin to show in their respective relationships especially while Rachel’s husband Adam (Erik Griffin) becomes obsessed with getting back their wedding gift: The Everything Pot. Guests: Lisa: Wikipedia IMDb Instagram Gina: Wikipedia <a href="
Bonus · Fri, June 07, 2024
TRIBECA: FREE RESOURCES, PROGRAMS & AWARDS FOR FILMMAKERS with Director of Artist Programs at Tribeca Studios Bryce Norbitz
BRYCE NORBITZ is currently the Director of Artist Programs at Tribeca Studios, where they oversee filmmaker development programming. Prior to this, they served as the Director of the Stowe Launch Program at Stowe Story Labs. Bryce also has extensive experience at the Tribeca Film Institute, where they held various roles including Director of Scripted Programs, Manager of Artist Programs, and Coordinator of Artist Programs. Bryce supported both scripted and documentary programming, executed events, reviewed submissions, and provided creative feedback and mentorship to filmmakers. In this episode, we discuss: Kickstart with Canva: A Creative Program in collaboration with Tribeca Session #1 (June 10th, 4pm at Tribeca Festival, max 90 creators - Register Here) - Creating a Dynamic Pitch Deck with Canva Session #2 (July, remotely, max 300 creators) - DETAILS COMING SOON Session #3 (August, remotely, max 300 creators) - DETAILS COMING SOON THROUGH HER LENS THL Submissions email: THLSubmissions@tribecafilm.com AT&T Untold Stories Pitch Attendee program The 2023 winner’s premiere Guest: LinkedIn Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Tue, April 02, 2024
NYWIFT Muse Awards RED CARPET: Kyra Sedgwick, Alex Borstein, Tantoo Cardinal & more
Bonus Episode LIVE from the RED CARPET of the New York Women in Film and Television Muse Awards. First ever red carpet interviews with: - Tantoo Cardinal (04:41) - Michele Stephenson (05:31) - Raney Aronson-Rath (07:40) - Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago (09:32) - Alex Borstein (11:00) - Pat Swinney Kaufman (14:31) - Kyra Sedgwick (16:55) - Latasha Gillespie (18:30) Bios: Tantoo Cardinal is an award-winning actress of Indigenous descent, who was most recently on screen with Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese’s newest feature, Killers of the Flower Moon , which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 and hit theatres worldwide in October 2023. Filmmaker, artist and author, Michèle Stephenson. Her feature documentary, American Promise , was nominated for three Emmys and won the Jury Prize at Sundance. Her work, Stateless , was nominated for a Canadian Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary. Raney Aronson-Rath is the editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE, PBS’ flagship investigative journalism series, produced at GBH in Boston. Under her leadership, FRONTLINE has evolved into a multi-platform organization, expanded its reporting capacity , and won every major award in broadcast journalism . She won the Erin Roth Award for Excellence in Journalism at the Muse Awards. Sybil Reymundo-Santiago is a Board Member at NYWIFT and the Executive Director of the SoHo International Film Festival. Alex Borstein most recently completed the fifth and final season of THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL where she can be seen starring as ‘Susie Myerson’ for which she has won two Emmy Awards and was nominated again this year for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress’. Alex is well-known for her role as ‘Lois’ on FAMILY GUY for which she won an Emmy Award and was previously nominated for her writing/producing work on the series. She won the "Made in NY" Award. Kyra Sedgwick is an award-winning actress, producer and director, whose role in the critically acclaimed series The Closer earned her both an Emmy and a Golden Globe. She was last seen in season two of the smash hit Amazon series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Sedgwick recently directed the feature film Space Oddity , starring Kyle Allen and Alexandra Shipp, which premiered a
Bonus · Fri, November 17, 2023
The Do’s and Don’ts of PITCHING YOUR FILM with Hollywood Producer Carol Baum
I recorded the intro to this episode earlier this week and already it's outdated! The strike is over! We can now talk about how GREAT Carol Baum is. Carol Baum has produced thirty-four movies, seventeen of them independently. Before becoming an independent producer, Baum was co-president of Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin’s production company, for ten years, where she produced such hits as Father of the Bride ; the Academy Award-winning HBO documentary Common Threads : Stories from the Quilt ; Tidy Endings ; I.Q.; Jacknife ; True Identity ; Buffy the Vampire Slaye r; Gross Anatomy ; Shining Through ; Straight Talk ; and Kicking and Screaming . As an indie producer, Baum made, among other movies, including The Good Girl ; You Kill Me ; and Boychoir . She has produced five television movies for Hallmark and several documentaries. Her roots are in New York City, where she spent her early career in publishing, working for both Bantam Books and Random House and scouting for the English publisher Corgi. While in New York, she developed Ira Levin’s The Stepford Wives , Stephen King’s The Shining , and Ira Levin’s The Boys from Brazil . When she relocated to Los Angeles, Baum became a studio vice president at Twentieth Century Fox and a senior vice president at Lorimar, where she developed Taylor Hackford’s An Officer and a Gentleman . Following her stint as an executive, she produced David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers . Baum currently teaches producing in the Film and Television Production Division at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is also a mentor for the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. Guest: IMDb Website Wikipedia Carole's book Creative Producing: a pitch-to-picture guide to movie development is available wherever you buy books. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website:<a
Bonus · Fri, November 10, 2023
Excerpt from Creative Producing: a Pitch-to-Picture Guide to Movie Development by Carol Baum
One of Carol's superpowers as a successful producer is her relationships with WRITERs. She is credited for starting the careers of David O’Russell, Noah Baumbach, and Mike White, in addition to being Former VP at 20th Century Fox and Co-President of Sandollar Productions (founded by Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin). This is an excerpt from Carol Baum's new book: Creative Producing: a pitch-to-picture guide to Movie Development . It is available wherever you buy books. Here we delve into Do's and Don'ts for talking to Writers , with some incredible stories along the way. Chapter 5 - Script Development, pages 49-52. Carol Baum has produced thirty-four movies, seventeen of them independently. Before becoming an independent producer, Baum was co-president of Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin’s production company, for ten years, where she produced such hits as Father of the Bride ; the Academy Award-winning HBO documentary Common Threads : Stories from the Quilt ; Tidy Endings ; I.Q.; Jacknife ; True Identity ; Buffy the Vampire Slaye r; Gross Anatomy ; Shining Through ; Straight Talk ; and Kicking and Screaming . As an indie producer, Baum made, among other movies, including The Good Girl ; You Kill Me ; and Boychoir . She has produced five television movies for Hallmark and several documentaries. Her roots are in New York City, where she spent her early career in publishing, working for both Bantam Books and Random House and scouting for the English publisher Corgi. While in New York, she developed Ira Levin’s The Stepford Wives , Stephen King’s The Shining , and Ira Levin’s The Boys from Brazil . When she relocated to Los Angeles, Baum became a studio vice president at Twentieth Century Fox and a senior vice president at Lorimar, where she developed Taylor Hackford’s An Officer and a Gentleman . Following her stint as an executive, she produced David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers . Baum currently teaches producing in the Film and Television Production Division at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is also a mentor for the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. Guest: IMDb Website Wikipedia Carole's book Creative Producing: a pitch-to-picture guide to movie development is available wherever you buy books. Host: Instagram: @Men
Bonus · Fri, September 01, 2023
Mini-Series: Social Media Insights: Q&A Session with Expert Heidi Dean on Content, Branding, Analytics, and Networking (Part 4/4)
Ready to elevate your social media game? Join us for an enlightening session with Heidi Dean, a master of social media strategy, as we uncover the secrets to crafting an irresistible online persona. In this engaging episode, we're diving into your most pressing questions: How can you build a compelling brand on Instagram? Heidi shares practical steps to showcase your unique identity. What is Heidi's process? How did she start her social media profile without a team? Mastering the art of a captivating first impression: bio optimization, highlight bubbles, and hashtag strategies. What's the ideal posting strategy? Heidi reveals tips for keeping your audience engaged and coming back for more. Achieve networking excellence: Explore collaboration, engagement, and strategic growth while nurturing valuable connections. But wait, there's more! Heidi Dean opens her digital playbook: Behind the scenes: Heidi's content creation journey from a one-person operation to a well-coordinated team. Repurposing magic: Discover her step-by-step process for tailoring content across different channels, from blogs to TikTok. Decoding analytics: Gain insights into Instagram analytics, watch time, audience retention, and more. Essential tools of the trade: Heidi reveals her favorite apps for crafting standout content. Engaging your audience: Should you speak directly to your followers or ride the trend wave? Heidi shares her winning approach. Networking like a pro: From casting directors to writers, learn Heidi's tips for building authentic connections online. Uncover a wealth of social media insights and supercharge your online presence. Tune in to this episode and embrace the digital spotlight with confidence! Heidi Dean is known as the industry’s top social media strategist for actors and the creator of Marketing4actors.com. She’s a social media writer for Backstage Magazine and a frequent speaker at film festivals, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, conferences, podcasts and universities across the country. Her clients include Emmy Award-winners, Broadway stars, series regulars, directors, producers, casting directors and voice actors. Heidi turns social media rookies into ROCKSTARS! Guest: 30 Days of Post Ideas for Actors (for free): https://www.marketing4actors.com/30posts Instagram: @Marketing4actors Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heididean Host: Instagram: @Mentorso
Bonus · Thu, August 24, 2023
Mini-Series: Mastering Instagram Highlights: 3 Expert Tips with Social Media Strategist for Actors Heidi Dean (Part 3/4)
If you're wondering, "How can we use Instagram highlights to network effectively and even book jobs?" – you're in for a treat. Join us as Heidi Dean, the renowned social media strategist, unravels her secret playbook to harness Instagram Highlights for networking and job opportunities. Get ready to revamp your approach and master the art of strategic storytelling. Heidi's tips will empower you to turn your Instagram profile into a networking powerhouse, boosting your chances of landing those coveted gigs. 🌐 Network like a pro using Instagram Highlights 🎬 Craft compelling stories that resonate 📚 Showcase your versatile talent and skills 🌟 Elevate your online presence and visibility Tune in now to embark on a journey of enhancing your networking prowess through Instagram Highlights. With Heidi Dean's expert guidance, you'll be primed to conquer the digital realm, connect with industry insiders, and pave the way for remarkable career opportunities. Heidi Dean is known as the industry’s top social media strategist for actors and the creator of Marketing4actors.com. She’s a social media writer for Backstage Magazine and a frequent speaker at film festivals, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, conferences, podcasts and universities across the country. Her clients include Emmy Award-winners, Broadway stars, series regulars, directors, producers, casting directors and voice actors. Heidi turns social media rookies into ROCKSTARS! Guest: 30 Days of Post Ideas for Actors (for free): https://www.marketing4actors.com/30posts Instagram: @Marketing4actors Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heididean Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle Click here to join our Mailing list. If you like th
Bonus · Fri, August 18, 2023
Mini Series: Ready to Go Viral? Discover 3 Power Plays with Heidi Dean, Social Media Strategist for Actors (Part 2/4)
Dreaming of making your social media posts go viral? Join us in this dynamic episode as we team up with social media strategist for actors, Heidi Dean, to unveil the secrets of going viral. Discover three powerful strategies to transform your online presence and create a buzz that resonates. From engaging content to trending techniques, we're here to elevate your actor journey to new heights. Tune in to explore the uncharted territory of social media during the strike and learn how to captivate your audience like never before. Lights, camera, viral success! Heidi Dean is known as the industry’s top social media strategist for actors and the creator of Marketing4actors.com. She’s a social media writer for Backstage Magazine and a frequent speaker at film festivals, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, conferences, podcasts and universities across the country. Her clients include Emmy Award-winners, Broadway stars, series regulars, directors, producers, casting directors and voice actors. Heidi turns social media rookies into ROCKSTARS! Guest: Website: www.Marketing4actors.com 30 Days of Post Ideas for Actors (for free): https://www.marketing4actors.com/30posts Instagram: @Marketing4actors Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heididean Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle Click here to join our Mailing list. If you like this episode, check out: 3 Tips for Building your Audience and Creating your Content Strategy with PR Expert Aliza Licht (BONUS) 3 Actionable tips to starting
S4 E21 · Mon, August 14, 2023
Becoming... Executive Producer, Co-Creator and Host Keltie Knight ("SUPERFAN" on CBS; "Lady Gang")
Now before you go crazy and DM me that there's a SAG-AFTRA strike and I can't talk about a CBS production, listen to the episode intro, I address it all! KELTIE KNIGHT is a three-time Emmy award-winning television host whose credits include CBS's ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS, THE GRAMMYS RED CARPET LIVE and currently is the Chief Correspondent for E! NEWS. She is a NYT bestselling author, and her podcast LADYGANG has reached an impressive 180 million downloads worldwide. Knight is the creator, executive producer and host of the new CBS Primetime Series SUPERFAN. In this episode, we talk about: • First jobs and living in a shoe box in NYC • BTS on the Taylor Swift MTV VMA performance in 2009 after Kanye took her mic from her • What made her, Becca Tobin and Jac Vanek start the LADYGANG podcast and what strengths they each brought to the table • Co-creating her new show SUPERFAN with LL Cool J, Shania Twain, Little Big Town, and Gloria Estefan, plus the crazy prizes for fans • 3 tips for pitching a show (and one bonus tip) • Giveaways from legendary musical artists to twitter or X @superfancbs Guest: Wikipedia Website LADYGANG podcast SUPERFAN on CBS Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out Becoming... Showrunner of Friends and Grace & Frankie Marta Kauffman
Bonus · Fri, August 11, 2023
Mini-Series: Strategize Your Social Media during SAG-AFTRA Strike: 3 Tips for Actors from Heidi Dean, Social Media Strategist (Part 1/4)
What CAN actors do during the SAG-AFTRA strike? The SAG-AFTRA strike (not to mention the WGA strike) is causing ripples in the Entertainment industry. I've been consistently getting asked: - What are we allowed to talk about on social media? - How do we still stay pro-active? - What can we post about? - How do we further our careers when we can't even audition? - How do we network right now? That's why my first episode of this 4 part mini series is all about social media strategy during the SAG-AFTRA strike, now that we can't talk about TV/Film. Heidi Dean is known as the industry’s top social media strategist for actors and the creator of Marketing4actors.com. She’s a social media writer for Backstage Magazine and a frequent speaker at film festivals, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, conferences, podcasts and universities across the country. Her clients include Emmy Award-winners, Broadway stars, series regulars, directors, producers, casting directors and voice actors. Heidi turns social media rookies into ROCKSTARS! Guest: Website: www.Marketing4actors.com 30 Days of Post Ideas for Actors (for free): https://www.marketing4actors.com/30posts Instagram: @Marketing4actors Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heididean Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle Click here to join our Mailing list. If you like this episode, check out: Mini-Series: Creating Atomic Habits with Guest host Kate Bone (part 1) 3 Tips for Building your Audience and Creating your Content Strat
S4 E20 · Mon, July 10, 2023
Becoming... Series Regular Melissa Navia (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+) Season Finale
Let's end Season 4 with another interview with a Series Regular, shall we? I'm so happy to have Melissa Navia on the podcast. I've known her for years as a working actor in NY, booking co-stars and guest stars in some of our favorite NY shows. During the pandemic, Melissa booked the dream gig, a Series Regular role of Lieutenant Erica Ortegas on the incredible Paramount+ show: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The second season debuted on June 15th and has already been renewed for a third season. On the television side, Navia’s most recent credits include recurring on CBS’s Bull and AMC’s Dietland. She also recently guest starred on NBC’s New Amsterdam and Showtime’s Billions and Homeland. On the big screen, Navia has appeared in a variety of indie films and shorts. In 2013, she won the award for Best Actress at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival for her leading role as ‘Dawn’ in “The Paragon Cortex.” Navia has also appeared in films like “Sleeping with the Fishes,” “Bel Canto,” “The Chosen,” “Hymns,” and “What It Was,” among others. In March 2020, she made her Off-Broadway debut in the world premiere of the highly praised “Bundle of Sticks” from J. Julian Christopher at INTAR Theatre. Navia is Colombian-American. She plays the banjo and is also the creator of the upcoming essay collection and stand-up show, Girl With Short Hair. In this episode, we talk about: • First audition she booked with her agent was Girl Most Likely with Kristin Wiig and first co-star on The Affair • Joining SAG-AFTRA with advice to actors on when they should join • The story of how she booked her first guest star on Billions, which included losing out to another role • The crazy story of choosing between a second episode of Billions and a role on Homeland • If she change how she approached self tapes that helped with booking her series regular role on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds • How the callback for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds went and how she felt when she found out she booked the role • Tips and encouragement for actors who want to book a Series Regular • Working with the co-Showrunners and crew, including Akiva Goldsman (who I have worked with on the feature film Winter’s Tale, but who also did films like A Beautiful Mind, I am Legend, Cinderella Man, and more) • Great story: How wardrobe gave her a heads up about a sword fight scene • How her creative ventures like writing and stand up help her as a creative/actor Guest: IMDb Wikipedia Instagram Twitt
S4 E19 · Mon, July 03, 2023
Becoming... Emmy-winning Producer and Director Michael Indjeian (Worked on: "Follow Her," "The Good Half" starring Nick Jonas, David Arquette, and Brittany Snow)
Michael Indjeian is a Daytime Emmy® winning Producer & Daytime Emmy® nominated Director with 5 total Daytime Emmy® nominations (2019-2022), and 26 years in film & television. Michael is known for producing the feature film, Follow Her (2022), and producing (57 episodes) & directing (7 episodes) the 2-time Daytime Emmy® winning PBS travel show, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love (Seasons 1-6). His work also includes serving as the UPM (USA Unit) for the Harvey Keitel film, Chosen (2016), Line Producer/UPM for the pilot, Laying Low (2017), and Director/Producer/Writer for the LIFE winning short film, Lucky Day (2007). In the commercial & non-broadcast arena, Michael has achieved 70+ industry awards and produced & directed 800+ projects for clients that include HBO, AMC, Fox, USA, Discovery, Sony, Hertz, Gap, Pepsi, Avon & Super Bowl XLVIII. Michael began his production career during the New York City Hip Hop scene in 1996 contributing to iconic music videos for Diddy, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, Faith Evans and 112. Michael grew up in Cliffside Park, NJ and graduated with a BA from Virginia Tech. In this episode, we talk about: • His first job working on P Diddy's Music Video and what stayed with him all of these years since • Starting at 30fps productions and being Involved in over 800+ projects there for clients including Sony, Pepsi, Avon, Hertz, Gap, Motorola, HBO, AMC, USA, Discovery, TV Guide, MTV, TD Waterhouse, Black & Decker, Lane Bryant, Marchon, Doubleday and IRS • Writing, directing and producing the short films Scores to Settle and Lucky Day for film competitions, while working a full time job • Working as a producer on the 2-time Daytime Emmy® winning PBS travel show Samantha Brown’s Places to Love • How he came upon the film Follow Her , which was written by actress Dani Barker • Working on the feature film The Good Half starring David Arquette, Brittany Snow, and Nick Jonas wrapping in January, with the world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival • His experience on set in front of the camera and why he finds it important to do all roles • What’s something he wishes a filmmaker would know before connecting with him • The ideal amount of time he would want for preproduction on a feature film and how he would go about recommending how to determine your budget Guest: IMDb LinkedIn Company Website - Giddy Productions Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michellesimo
S4 E18 · Mon, June 26, 2023
Becoming... Award-winning Producers, Writers and Actors Fiona and Sophia Robert (Feature films: "The Country Club," "A View of the World from Fifth Avenue")
Fiona and Sophia Robert are Producers, Writers, and Actors who have written roles for themselves in two feature films: The Country Club and A View of the World from Fifth Avenue . While The Country Club is available to stream right now, A View of the World from Fifth Avenue was cast by Mentor Julie Schubert and just premiered at Bentonville Film Festival. Robert Sisters Pictures is an award-winning film production company founded in 2018. Created by sisters Fiona and Sophia Robert, the team writes, produces, directs, and stars in their films. TAll Robert Sisters productions aim to have an inclusive and gender-balanced crew behind the scenes, earning their second feature film, A VIEW OF THE WORLD FROM FIFTH AVENUE, the ReFrame stamp of approval. The Robert Sisters’ first feature, THE COUNTRY CLUB played five festivals taking home “Best Feature Comedy” upon its premiere at the Manhattan Film Festival and the “Marlyn Mason First Prize“ at Flicker’s Rhode Island Film Festival. The film was sold to Good Deed Entertainment for domestic distribution, and Archstone for International Sales. It will be released worldwide June 2023. The Robert Sisters’ second feature, A VIEW OF THE WORLD FROM FIFTH AVENUE will world premiere as one of twelve films in Narrative Competition at Bentonville Film Festival June 2023 founded by Geena Davis. In this episode, we talk about: • When they decided to make your own production company and was it before or after they wrote The Country Club? • The story behind writing their first feature film The Country Club • Their process for writing a film together and their steps towards pre-production of a feature film • Lessons that they took to their second feature film from first film • Made A View of the World from Fifth Avenue in just over a year with recent premiere at Bentonville Film Festival • Sophia being directed by her sister Fiona and Fiona’s directing tips she’s learned along the way • Tips for actors on their self tapes • What the ReFrame Stamp of Approval is and why it’s important for them to promote equity • Working with Casting Directors Julie Schubert and Kate Gifford to cast their films Guest: Website Fiona's IG Sophia's IG The Country Club IG A View from Fifth Avenue IG Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: <a href="https://twit
Bonus · Fri, June 23, 2023
From Idea to Screen: 6 Tips to Successfully Write and Produce a Feature Film with the Robert Sisters
You asked for it! A bonus episode all about making your own film. And who better to ask than the Robert sisters? Sophia and Fiona Robert are two women who write, produce, and star in their own feature films. Their second feature film, A View of the World from Fifth Avenue, just premiered at Bentonville Film Festival (founded by Geena Davis) to a sold out audience. They made this film in just over a year. Their first feature film, The Country Club, played 5 festivals and is available to stream starting today. It also stars Elaine Hendrix (or Meredith from The Parent Trap). Fiona Robert directed both projects. In the interview that comes out this Monday, I ask these incredible women about their career and journey. I took some of their answers about writing and producing a film and compiled this special bonus episode. Robert Sisters Pictures is an award-winning film production company founded in 2018. Created by sisters Fiona and Sophia Robert, the team writes, produces, directs, and stars in their films. The company was founded with the goal of creating inclusive work which strives to uplift both its audience and its team. All Robert Sisters productions aim to have an inclusive and gender-balanced crew behind the scenes, earning their second feature film, A VIEW OF THE WORLD FROM FIFTH AVENUE, the ReFrame stamp of approval. The Robert Sisters’ first feature, THE COUNTRY CLUB played five festivals taking home “Best Feature Comedy” upon its premiere at the Manhattan Film Festival and the “Marlyn Mason First Prize“ at Flicker’s Rhode Island Film Festival. The film was sold to Good Deed Entertainment for domestic distribution, and Archstone for International Sales. It will be released worldwide June 2023. The Robert Sisters’ second feature, A VIEW OF THE WORLD FROM FIFTH AVENUE will world premiere as one of twelve films in Narrative Competition at Bentonville Film Festival June 2023 founded by Geena Davis. Robert Sisters Pictures are gearing up to produce their third feature, a Gosford Park style mystery set in the English Countryside. Guest: Website Fiona's IG Sophia's IG The Country Club IG A View from Fifth Avenue IG Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @
S4 E17 · Mon, June 19, 2023
Becoming... Talent Manager Ingrid French (Insider Tips and Industry Insights)
INGRID FRENCH is a personal manager and owner of Ingrid French Management, a dynamic talent management company. IFM represents actors and models for commercial print, commercials, television, film, theatre and voice overs. IFM has recently booked clients for several commercial print campaigns including Verizon, GAP, Johnson and Johnson, and Target; for commercials such as T-Mobile, Graco, Amazon Fire Phone, Kraft, Bacardi, Olive Garden, Fed-Ex, Nike, Toyota and Heineken; and voice- overs for Yuengling, Smirnoff, Blue Buffalo, Philips and Yellow Tail. IFM has booked actors on Law and Order SVU, Crime, Person of Interest, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Blacklist, KC Undercover, Boardwalk Empire, Happyish, The Knick and Orange is the New Black to name a few. Recent feature film and independent project bookings include The Wolf of Wall Street, Daughter of God, Brooklyn. In this episode, we talk about: • Starting off as an agent's assistant and how similar/different it is to now • Difference between agent and manager • Freelance vs signing actors and the benefits of both • Is she looking for talent during the strike • How she hears about new actors and does she look at website submissions from actors that aren’t referred • Suggestions for actors that they can do right now to be a better actor, including habits she can recommend • What makes her interested in an actor and what does she look for. Does location matter? Does she like a cover letter? • What her happy/satisfied clients seem to have in common • When she think its appropriate to push for an actor and what she needs from an actor right now to help with pushes • Who should actors be connecting with aside from Casting Directors Guest: Website IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle We discussed: <a href="https
S4 E16 · Mon, June 05, 2023
Becoming... Legendary Acting Coach Bob Krakower
"I don’t think an actors private life is entertainment for other people. So I never ask anybody any personal questions of any kind." BOB KRAKOWER is recognized as one of the top acting teachers and coaches in the business. His clients have been nominated for the Academy, Emmy, and Tony Awards. He is currently creating inaugural on-camera acting programs at UNCSA and Juilliard. He has been on guest faculties at Yale, Harvard, & NYU. Sought after by studios, networks, producers, and actors, he works from his home base in New York, while maintaining a schedule of coaching on set for film and television around the country. In this episode, we talk about: • Having two offers on the same day: he could be a franchised agent or interview to teach at the Actors Theater in Louisville • Worked in casting with Alexa Fogel and almost got booted off casting NYPD Blue • Tips for actors on how to approach a scene • How he got reruns of My So Called Life on MTV after it was cancelled • Tips for actors that they can do right now to become a better actor • Why he chooses not to delve into the personal life of actors when coaching them and what he does instead Guest: Website IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out: Becoming... Showrunner/Writer Marshall Herskovitz "Blood Diamond" "The Last Samurai""My So Called Life" Click here to join our Mailing list. Ads: Check out Cave Day right now. Only $40 for the first 3 months!
S4 E15 · Mon, May 22, 2023
Becoming... Series Regular & Indie filmmaker Izzy Stevens (Netflix, ABC, Cannes Diversity, Hollyshorts, Cinema Australia)
Want to make your own film and have no idea where to start? This episode answers so many questions with Mentor Izzy Stevens. IZZY STEVENS is an acclaimed Aussie-American Actress, widely regarded for her lead role in Netflix’s ‘Occupation’ Franchise among other lead roles in films such as ‘Rainfall’, ‘Underbelly’, ‘Puberty Blues’, and ‘Another Mother’. On top of her successful acting career, Izzy has created a name for herself as a powerhouse filmmaker and producer. Izzy’s award winning films have been screened on ABC National Network, as well as at Cannes Diversity, Hollyshorts, Cinema Australia, Tropfest, Redline Int. Film Fest, (Winner: Best Experimental Film), LA Shorts, and more! Izzy is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. As the CEO and business owner of her consulting and mentorship company, Indie Spunk, Izzy is passionate about helping fellow filmmakers, producers, actors, directors etc. find success in this cutthroat industry. Now, Izzy’s dedication to championing independent filmmakers has inspired her to launch her own film focused podcast ‘indie spunk’ which highlights emerging industry creatives, giving them a platform to share their knowledge, advice, and experience! Izzy intends to inspire listeners through sharing her own personal anecdotes, alongside other film professionals and special guests. With her infectious personality, Izzy is determined to revamp the film sector of the podcast world, as she feels there aren’t many film focused podcasts left standing. In this episode, we talk about: • Izzy's start as a series regular role in a TV show in Australia at 17 years old, turning her into a "quiet, conservative people pleaser" • The similarities and differences between shooting Australian shows and American shows • How close she was to quitting before booking a huge Netflix film • How to navigate the film festival circuit and focusing on that during pre-production • 3 reasons to crowdfund your project: 1. make your money 2. marketing tool to talk about your project 3. helps you focus on your niche which is important in the film festival circuit • The three tiers of festivals 1. community festivals 2. industry festivals (Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, Hollyshorts) 3. Niche festivals Sales and distributors go to niche festivals, too. Always ask for a waiver. • Her Indie Spunk podcast to help encourage filmmakers to create work from idea to script to screen • Finding your zone of genius in filmmaking so you don’t have to do everything Guest: Website Instagram IMDb Facebook page
S4 E14 · Mon, May 15, 2023
Becoming... Showrunner and Screenwriter Hank Steinberg (ABC's "For Life", "Without a Trace", ABC's "Nine," TNT's "The Last Ship," Upcoming show: "Doc")
We are so fortunate to have another Showrunner on the podcast. This time, Hank Steinberg. In 1997, Steinberg successfully sold the cable network HBO on 61* , a biographical drama about the legendary home-run race between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle of the 1961 Yankees. The following year, Billy Crystal came aboard as a producer on the project and subsequently directed the film, starring Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper. 61* garnered 12 Emmy nominations, including Best Motion Picture for Television and Best Writing. Steinberg was also nominated for a WGA Award for the film. Steinberg then created the CBS show Without a Trace , which aired from September 26, 2002, to May 19, 2009. Without a Trace follows the cases of a Missing Persons Unit of the FBI in New York City. During his tenure as executive producer and show-runner, the show won several Emmy awards and a Golden Globe for lead actor Anthony LaPaglia, as well as earning a SAG and Humanitas nomination. Steinberg was executive producer and show-runner of Without a Trace for the first four seasons. Afterward, Steinberg created and was showrunner/executive producer of the ABC series The Nine , which he wrote with his sister, KJ Steinberg. The show ran for one season. Steinberg co-created and was executive producer of TNT's The Last Ship ,in 2014, which ran for five seasons. The Last Ship follows a naval destroyer crew, after a pandemic kills most of Earth's population. Steinberg went on to create and serve as an executive producer of the ABC American legal drama For Life, which premiered February 11, 2020.The series is a fictional legal and family drama inspired by the life of convict turned attorney Isaac Wright, Jr. The success of the show led his Channel Road Productions company to an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Most recently, Steinberg landed a straight to series order with Fox for DOC , an adaptation of the Italian series of the same name. Steinberg will executive produce under his Channel Road Productions. In this episode, we talk about: • His straight to series FOX show called Doc based on an Italian series • The story behind getting the pitch for For Life and why he had to come back to it months later • His advice on to get started writing for a TV show • His writing process and to just get through the first draft • Working with his sister KJ Steinberg on Nine (she is now working on This is Us ) • Advice for actors approaching pilot auditions and why there are no small roles • The gentle balance between a strong pilot to hook in executives and having some discipline in holding back to have an engaging season • The genesis of Without a Trace and how they came up with the idea (question from Mentor <a href="https://kite.link
S4 E13 · Mon, May 08, 2023
Becoming... Producer & Post Production Supervisor Leslie Converse ("Marriage Story," "Hillbilly Elegy," "Stepford Wives," "White Noise")
Did you know what it takes to be a post production supervisor? Or that it's a possible way to climb up the track to Executive Producer? LESLIE CONVERSE is both a producer and a post-Production Supervisor. She tells us about her start in the industry, assisting Director Frank Oz on movies such as The Indian in the Cupboard , In & Out starring Kevin Kline, and Bowfinger starring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy, she goes into how she started as a post-production supervisor and what that usually entails, and working closely with directors such as Ron Howard, Steven Soderbergh, Frank Oz, Noah Baumbach, and more. She has worked on incredible films such as Marriage Story with Adam Driver, Scarlett Johannsen, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta and Alan Alda, The Laundromat with Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, David Schwimmer, The Stepford Wives starring Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, and Matthew Broderick, and more, Hillbilly Elgy starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close, just to name a few. She also discusses getting into producing and how much of a commitment that means, especially as a mother. One of her latest projects was Noah Baumbach’s White Noise starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, which she was both a post-production supervisor and executive producer. In this episode, we talk about: • The awesome story about going out to LA to interview to be Director Frank Oz's assistant and working on THE INDIAN AND THE CUPBOARD • What goes into being Post-production Supervisor on a film and her responsibilities • Organizing ADR and finding actors for looping and loop groups • Being bumped up to co-producer, in addition to post production, for STEPFORD WIVES • Why someone should hire a post-production supervisor for in pre-production • Missed the jump from 35mm to digital because she took off working to parent • Finished reshoots for Hillbilly Elegy when the pandemic hit, so post production looked very different • Bumped to EP for White Noise, also directed by Noah Baumbach for 2.5 years Guest: IMDb LinkedIn Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website:<a href="http://www.miche
Bonus · Fri, May 05, 2023
3 Actionable tips to starting your PR strategy before getting a publicist
Waiting to hire a publicist when you book something BIG? It may be too late. Former publicist Diane Foy breaks down why it's a tall ask for a publicist to start promoting your big project without all of the basics set up, things you can do NOW. It can also start your interview journey and prepare you for those bigger media outlets. How can you do The Late Show without some proper training? This is where DIANE FOY comes in, the creator of the Superfan Attraction Method. We discuss the first three tips from her Superfan Attraction method including PERSONAL BRANDING and turning dreams into action plans, creating PURPOSE DRIVEN CONTENT, and how to research MEDIA OUTLETS and perfecting your pitch. During her 16 years as an arts and entertainment publicist, Diane represented talents such as Perry Farrell, Big Sugar, The Parlotones, Mackenzie Phillips, Alanna Masterson and Tyler Blackburn. Diane's ability to draw on her diverse background including photography, makeup artistry, creative psychology, journalism, PR, and marketing, allows her to empower artists and creatives to embrace your story and purpose as your unique superpower. Diane also hosts the Superfan Attraction podcast: Personal Branding for Multi-passionate artists. In this episode, we discuss: What is the Superfan Attraction method and why she created it brand, consistent message across all platforms, engagement 3 Stages of her method: Personal Branding, Purpose Driven Content, Media spotlight Guest: Free Superfan Attraction Playbook & Training https://dianefoy.com/freebie https://dianefoy.com/coaching Podcast My episode on her podcast: Superfan Attraction: Storytelling, Michelle Simone Miller Instagram Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this: try The Brand of You: Rooting Identity in Who you are and not what you do with Kara Barnett (Senior Creative at Apple TV+) Ads: Cave Day
S4 E12 · Mon, May 01, 2023
Becoming... Actress and viral Content Creator Courtney Michelle Dlugos (450k on TikTok w/ 20 mill likes)
Courtney Michelle Dlugos is an actress and viral content creator with (at the time of this episode airing) 450k followers on Tik Tok with over 20million likes and 127k followers on Instagram. She creates her own work every day on social media, many of which are sponsored/branded. In this episode, we talk about: • The vulnerability of creating your own work and sharing it, including getting over her self-judgement • Whether she has a content creation schedule and what is her process • Her advice for you about creating your own content now • Being liked or shared by celebrities like Lena Dunham and Taika Waititi and why those videos surprised her • Her equipment set up for her videos • Her start creating sponsored/branded videos and how she got her initial sponsors before getting a social media manager • She comes up with her own ideas for sponsored videos with parameters "You can never guess what video is going to do well or what video is going to serve any sort of purpose or move your career forward or anything like that… just like you don’t know what audition is going to change your life either..." Guest: Instagram Youtube IMDb Tik Tok Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out Becoming... Actor, Director, and Viral Sensation Ben Giroux Click here to join our Mailing list. Ads: Check out Cave Day right now. Only $40 for the first 3 months!
S4 E11 · Mon, April 24, 2023
Becoming... Showrunner Marta Kauffman - FRIENDS, GRACE & FRANKIE, Actor Advice, Improv on Set, Pitching Tips, and more (Repost)
Marta Kauffman is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning television writer, producer, and showrunner behind the hit series Friends and Grace & Frankie . After graduating from Brandeis University, Kauffman got her big break alongside David Crane when their pilots Dream On (1990) and The Powers That Be (1992) were green-lit. The pair then launched Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions with Kevin Bright and became the trio that created the iconic sitcom Friends. In 2015, Kauffman started her production company, Okay Goodnight, with industry veterans Robbie Tollin and Hannah KS Canter. Their first series, Grace & Frankie, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston premiered on Netflix in 2015 and is Netflix’s longest-running original ever. The series has received multiple Emmy and SAG nominations and is beginning production on the seventh and final season. In 2018, the company produced the documentary Seeing Allred, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is currently available on Netflix. Kauffman has received a number of honors and awards including the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in television writing from the Writers Guild of America, the 2016 Outstanding Television Writer award at the 23rd annual Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference, The Kieser Award at the 44th Annual Humanitas Awards, and Variety’s TV Producers Impact Report for consecutive years in 2019 and 2020. In this episode, we talk about: • Writing Musical Theater in NY with her writing partner and friend David Crane and making $18,000 a year, before moving to LA and working with Norman Lear • Behind the Scenes on the beginnings of Friends including why it was important for it to be an ensemble show and fighting for Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston • The number 1 thing she wants actors to know when they walk in for an audition • Why the time after Friends was a really hard period and how she pushed out of it • Her thoughts on the Reunion and why she could never do a reboot • The incredible story she hasn't able to sell (yet!) • The misunderstanding that led to the terrific pairing of Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda on Grace & Frankie • Was there Improv on Friends or is there improv on Grace & Frankie • Why she gets credited for every the theme song of Friends is played • Working with Netflix as opposed to a Network Guest: Wikipedia IMDb Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic <a href="ht
S4 E10 · Mon, April 17, 2023
Becoming Actor and Tony-nominated Broadway Producer Lamar Richardson ("DEATH OF A SALESMAN," "NEW YORK, NEW YORK")
LAMAR RICHARDSON is an actor and producer born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He received his B.A. from Columbia University in the City of New York in 2015. Shortly after, Lamar made his regional theater debut as 'Sylvester' in Phylicia Rashad's award-winning production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2016. He made his Broadway debut as a Co-Producer of the 2022-2023 revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman starring Wendell Pierce, Sharon D. Clarke, and Andre de Shields at the Hudson Theatre. Kander and Ebb’s New York, New York is his next endeavor as a Co-Producer. He is also currently producing Afrika Brown’s new play in development, The Fight. Lamar co-founded Ivy Lion Productions, which is an independent production company that centers underrepresented voices and champions empowering stories. His additional acting credits include: Jordan Peele’s 'Weird City’, Richard Lawson’s ‘Black Terror,’ James Sweeney’s 'Straight Up' on Netflix, and NBC’s 'New Amsterdam.' How he got his first representatives with cold outreach Hand modeling together for multiple Samsung commercials and getting a parts representation The story of booking Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom after a NYC reading with Phylicia Rashad and how he almost got in his own way Oprah’s super soul gospel brunch at her house with Reese Witherspoon, Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Julia Roberts, and more All of his jobs are in service to his work as an actor Becoming a Broadway producer for Death of a Salesman and New York, New York: what steps did he take to start and how being an actor prepared him Getting the Front Row Fellowship with Columbia University and what that entails Producing Afrika Brown’s play The Fight, with a reading at the Apollo theater Co-producer of New York, New York with Lin Manuel Miranda What he doesn’t have time for anymore as an actor Guest: Website IMDb Instagram Twitter Front Row Fellow Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic <a h
Bonus · Fri, April 14, 2023
3 Tips for Building your Audience and Creating your Content Strategy with PR Expert Aliza Licht (BONUS)
Aliza Licht is back on the podcast for a special bonus episode. In celebration of her new book ON BRAND , Aliza takes us through her 3 actionable tips for building your audience and creating a strong content strategy that you can do right now. She reminds us to: - push through our discomfort in putting ourselves on video - make it easy for ourselves when it comes to social media and creating our brand - define what we want to be known for (and how to start) and more. ALIZA LICHT is an award-winning marketer, bestselling author, podcaster, personal branding expert, and the founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK , a multimedia brand and consultancy. She advises businesses and mentors individuals on brand building and career development. Licht leverages over two decades of expertise in marketing, communications, and digital strategy in the fashion industry. Her first book, Leave Your Mark, was published in 2015. Her new book, On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception is a comprehensive roadmap to building your personal brand. Find her online at alizalicht.com and @alizalichtxo . WHAT IS ON BRAND? On Brand is a comprehensive roadmap to building your personal brand online and IRL. The book picks up where Leave Your Mark left off. Aliza includes personal anecdotes and learnings from her own journey and rebrand from a corporate employee to entrepreneur mixed with expert contributors in their fields, including Dorie Clark, Alisa Cohn, Ross Martin, and more. Wise words from fashion greats include Mindy Grossman, Bevy Smith, Steven Kolb, Jennifer Meyer, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, and Elizabeth Holmes. The book includes what she lovingly calls "mental gymnastics" exercises for readers to work on their brand in the physical book. On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception. PUB DATE: April 18, 2023, by Union Square & Co. Guest: OTHER WORK: Book: Leave Your Mark: Land your dream job. Kill it in your career. Rock social media. Podcast: LEAVE YOUR MARK: Freshly Brewed Career Advice Private mentorship: LEAVE YOUR MARK Community Newsletter: LEAVE YOUR MARK Instagram: @alizalichtxo @leaveyourmarkpodcast @leaveyourmarkcommunity Twitter <a href="https://twitt
S4 E9 · Mon, April 10, 2023
Becoming Casting Director Erica Hart ("THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE," "GODFATHER OF HARLEM," "THE BOLD TYPE")
ERICA A HART, CSA, was born and raised in Washington, DC. Her casting experience spans into network, studio, independent films, commercials, and recently Broadway. Her television/streaming directorial casting credits include both seasons of THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE (HBOMAX), JODIE, BLACK DON'T CRACK (ABC), BUST DOWN (PEACOCK) and THE GIRLS ON THE BUS (HBOMAX). Her commercial work has been with brands such as Maybelline, Gillette, Hasbro, and Delta. Casting on Broadway for CHICKEN & BISCUITS, PASS OVER, DEATH OF A SALESMAN and the upcoming production of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. Erica is on the Board of Directors for Casting Society (CSA), a member of the Television Academy, and an educator at institutions like Harvard University, Yale University and NYU Grad Acting. In this episode, we talk about: • First job - NBC casting internship • Her time at ABC casting where she worked on the Showcase to Marvel’s Agents of Shield to pilot season, The Goldbergs, Secrets & Lies, Blackish, Scandal, Once Upon A Time, How to get away with Murder, For the People, Grey’s Anatomy, etc. • Her advice for actors going in for pilots • The great story about getting her job at ABC with John Ort and not selling yourself short • How she became a Reality TV co-producer by taking a camera, filming a story, and submitting it to places where she eventually got a deal • Self tape tips and self tape privilege • A panel she did with Erica Jensen and Barnard Telsey • How to break past the avail/pin phase when you feel stuck Jenny Hochberg’s question: If there could be one piece of advice that you would tell your younger self, what would it be? Linnea Sage: Are you asking for people for second takes or call backs if they missed the mark? Rebecca Martinez: How do we stay in touch with Casting Directors, especially with the impending writers’ strike? Guest: IMDb Instagram LinkedIn Playbill Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @Michel
S4 E8 · Mon, April 03, 2023
100th Episode - Becoming VP of Content Analysis in Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group Shaurya Nanavati
This is the 100th episode of Mentors on the Mic podcast , so I discuss how I started podcasting, my gratitude for my audience and mentors, and celebrating our wins. Our Mentor this week is Shaurya Nanavati, who manages the greenlighting process and provides guidance to drive content, distribution, and strategy decisions. Prior to his work at Lionsgate, he managed a music publishing company, wrote & toured as a musician, and, as a CPA, worked in public accounting at PwC in Texas. Shaurya considers himself a citizen of the world - born in India and raised between Mumbai and Houston. Post high school, he travelled to Austin where he obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at The University of Texas at Austin. After his stint in the world of music, he moved to Los Angeles to obtain an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and pursue a career transition to filmed entertainment. In this episode, we talk about: • Going from CPA to Hollywood and how he realized early that his passion for music would not earn the lifestyle he wanted • He started researching people he wanted to be like and saw what they did, deciding whether to pursue Law or a Business degree. • Why he went to business school for the networking and how that helped him find the job he wanted • Getting an internship at 30 and why age shouldn’t discourage you from doing anything • Whether they are more focused on development or acquisitions at Lionsgate • Filmmakers choose Lionsgate because they are the best place for storytellers and talent within the parameters of being a smart financial decision (plus great marketing) • "It’s a lot of effort to learn what you know, but it takes an equal amount of effort to try to put yourself in the situation and the places you want to be." Guest: Linkedin Instagram Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like
Bonus · Fri, March 31, 2023
The Brand of You: Rooting Identity in Who you are and not what you do with Kara Barnett (Senior Creative at Apple TV+)
How do we detach from what we do? For over achievers especially, this can feel impossible. It especially hits home when you are in between jobs or not doing what you want to be doing. As an actress, I GET THIS. I understand what it is to question whether I can even call myself an actress if I'm not currently acting in anything. I'm so happy to have Kara Barnett back on the podcast. She fills us in on what's been going on since our last interview. Starting out as a casting associate producer on America’s Next Top Model, she worked consistently with companies and Networks such as Viacom, Discovery, CBS, BET, A&E, and OWN. We last saw her as Creative Manager of Strong Black Lead at Netflix. Kara Barnett currently is a Senior Creative with the Apple TV+ Product and Design team. She also loves creating through her film production company of many years, 25EightProductions and has recently added a new agency arm to the company that focuses on short form content development and creation with Black and Brown brands and creators as well as experiential creative direction. In this episode: - We talk about where she was after leaving Netflix - Leaning on her supportive network - Attending a retreat called "Waking Hours" and shifting her perspective on how much time we have - The importance of positive self talk - Advice for talking to those affected by layoffs, more in this LinkedIn post While Kara is now a Senior Creative at Apple TV+, she now understands that she is so more than the place she attaches herself to or her job title, she invests in the brand that is Kara Inc. and all of the places she works gives more to her as a whole. "You don’t have to rush to do anything, we will not forget you." Guest: LinkedIn Instagram IMDB Website Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com
S4 E7 · Mon, March 27, 2023
Becoming... Director of Audience Development at iHeartMedia Amber Smith (Custom Podcasts)
As the Director of Audience Development on the custom podcast team, Amber Smith leads the team's podcast growth strategies, ensuring the content we produce for brands gets the largest reach. Amber started her career as a researcher on the Today show before jumping to audio. She has worked on multiple sides of the podcast industry as a producer for SiriusXM and later joined the team that negotiated content partnerships for podcasts on SiriusXM and Pandora. Before joining iHeart, she led audience development for Slate Magazine’s podcast catalog. Amber is an alumnus of both the University of Southern California and Louisiana State University. Outside of work you can find her chasing her toddler. In this episode, we talk about: • Starting off as a casting intern for Twinkie Byrd and a working actress before becoming a PA at WBRZ-TV • Working at the Today show and understanding that journalists are the first tellers of history • How Sirius XM slid into her DMs on LinkedIn • How Amber got their first original podcast greenlit which was a news show • When Sirius XM acquired Pandora, she met with the Pandora team which started her interest in podcast partnerships (and defining what those are) • The key networking strategies she implemented to move up the ladder • What a senior audience development manager does and how to build community for your podcast • Amber's advice for those wanting to start a podcast Guest: Linkedin Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you liked this episode, check out this episode with the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast and see how they grew their incredible community and 315+ Tik Tok followers.
S4 E6 · Mon, March 20, 2023
Becoming... Hollywood's Spiritual Teacher Todd Savvas (Extra TV, The Morning show, KTLA, Good Day LA)
Todd Savvas is a spiritual teacher, modern mystic and Sage who has been working with people from all over the world for the last 17 years. He blends ancient wisdom with modern savvy to create powerful and quick transformation. In this episode, we talk about: • His start in Australia in fashion and advertising and how that has informed his current work • Live readings for Jenna Dewan on her youtube channel which is how I was introduced to him • Networking and pitching producers for initial segments on morning shows • Advice: 'Find your 30 second clip that works for their audience' and 'Learn to maximize and leverage with authenticity' • Word of the city - NYC is Capricorn energy, London is Taurus energy and LA is Neptune energy • The definition of claircognizance and how people can develop their own traits • The best dating advice that helped me meet my husband • Going on dates and focusing on what you want and if you’re having fun and not on the other person • Instructions on how to detach from the result Guest: Website Instagram Youtube Book a 1 hour session with Todd Savvas Book a 30 min session with Todd Savvas Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S4 E5 · Mon, March 13, 2023
Becoming... Casting Director Maribeth Fox at Laura Rosenthal Casting ("Mildred Pierce," "A Quiet Place," "Murder Mystery 2," "The Kids are Alright")
This week’s mentor is casting director Maribeth Fox of Laura Rosenthal Casting. Maribeth has cast several of our favorites, including The Kids Are All Right with Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo; Mildred Pierce with Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood; and Late Night with Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson, and many more. In this episode of Mentors on the Mic, Maribeth and I discuss not only these projects and her other upcoming ones, such as Bottoms with Kaia Gerber and produced by Elizabeth Banks; Apple TV psychological thriller Sharper with Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan, and; Murder Mystery 2 with Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, and a mentor from this podcast, Tony Goldwyn. We then take a look into the process that led up to these actors’ casting – from in-person auditions, self-tapes, and submission preferences, to her own process for selection. We also learn about her own journey within the industry, starting from her first role as an assistant at Buchwald Agency to having an eight-week casting job that eventually turned into a 15-year career. Show highlights: [02:30] Maribeth’s first role in the entertainment industry as an assistant at Buchwald Agency [03:56] Her exploration of different trades within the industry – from talent agencies, publicity, to network casting – and why casting with Laura fit her best [10:39] The day-to-day differences between casting at a network and working freelance at a casting office [16:44] How many people she confers with for approval on a project, depending on it being TV and film [24:42] Maribeth’s self-tape tips for actors that can help them in future auditions [29:20] Her submission preferences and how casting actually handles self-tapes [30:44] The process of how to select actors for an audition [42:22] How Maribeth navigates self-tapes compared to in-person auditions [44:18] How they split shows in Laura Rosenthal Casting [46:07] A breakdown of Maribeth’s upcoming projects including Kaia Gerber’s audition for Bottoms *** Links and resources Resources Email Maribeth at lrclasses@gmail.com for a 30-minute self-tape feedback over Zoom Mentors on the Mic is on IMDb Guest links IMDb Host links Website IMDb Instagram - @MentorsontheMic<
Bonus · Fri, March 10, 2023
Self Tape Controversy & tips from Top CASTING DIRECTORS Part 2 (BONUS)
My reaction to the Self Tape Controversy. There's a lot going on right now in the world of Self Tapes. Lots of deadline articles and outrage. I discuss it on this special, last minute bonus episode and bring in some friends to touch on self tapes, including an upcoming guest, Maribeth Fox of Laura Rosenthal casting. Question: What do each of the following Casting Directors have in common? Besides being a guest on Mentors on the Mic. Answer: They all loved giving tips to Actors regarding Self Tapes. Self Tapes are the new normal. For non-Actors out there, these are how actors submit auditions now that we're not going in person. For this mini bonus episode, we are going over these Casting Directors's top Self Tape tips. Featuring Casting Directors: Maribeth Fox - Upcoming episode (A Quiet Place, The Kids are Alright, Late Night, Halston) Kim Graham - Season 1 Episode 12 (Homeland) Jenny Ravitz - Season 2 Episode 6 (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD) Julie Schubert - Season 2 Episode 2 (House of Cards, Jessica Jones, For Life, Manifest) Julie Tucker - Season 3 Episode 5 (Nurse Jackie, White Collar, The Equalizer, The Affair) Allison Kirschner - Season 3 Episode 18 (The King of Staten Island, Bros, The Detour) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you liked this episode, please check out any of the above Casting Director episodes.
S4 E4 · Mon, March 06, 2023
Becoming... Emmy winning Executive Producer Eric Tuchman ("The Handmaid's Tale," "Anastasia," "Kyle XY," "Eureka")
Eric Tuchman is an American producer and screenwriter. He is known for writing the Animation Adaptation for the 20th Century Fox animated movie Anastasia , as well as his work on the television series The Handmaid's Tale as a writer and Executive Producer. He was also the show runner of the TV series Kyle XY . He shared a 2017 Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Drama series for his work on The Handmaid's Tale and received 3 Emmy nominations. He also received a Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama in 2018 and won two Writers Guild of America Awards as part of the writing team of The Handmaid's Tale . In this episode, we talk about: • Cold calling agents until he obtained representation • Writing the Animation Adaptation for the animated film Anastasia • His writing process and what he tells himself about his first draft until today • His advice for actors, including: there’s nothing wrong with you and you’re just might not be right for a particular role • Why being bumped from story editor straight to supervising producer hurt him because he wasn’t ready • Getting started on The Handmaid's Tale • How he became the show runner for Kyle XY and working on TV shows like Stitchers , Eureka , Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman • His writing style and becoming known as a sci-fi writer. Guest: IMDb Wikipedia Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemi
S3 E3 · Mon, February 27, 2023
Becoming... Film Producer Gaylyn Fraiche and former VP of Film & TV of Hello Sunshine ("Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," "Cheetah Girls 2")
Gaylyn Fraiche started as a Script Coordinator on the CBS series Johnny Bago for Executive Producers/Writers Peter Seaman and Jeffrey Price and Executive Producers Robert Zemeckis, Frank Marshall and Steve Starkey. Gaylyn’s first experience in feature films was as Oscar-Winning Director Curtis Hanson’s assistant on The River Wild , starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon. She worked for Hanson for almost two years through the release of the movie and through early development of L.A. Confidential . From there she worked as Oscar-Winning Director Kathryn Bigelow’s assistant on Strange Days . She began working at Castle Rock Pictures for CEO Martin Shafer on such films as The Green Mile , Best in Show , Miss Congeniality , and Proof of Life. She was promoted to Creative Executive and Director of Development. She also served as VP of Film and Television for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. In this episode, we talk about: • Starting off as an assistant to Television Producers James Hirsch and Robert Papazian on 10 Movies of the week and 2 series, executive assistant to showrunner for CBS TV Series Johnny Bago, assistant to Curtis Hanson who is now an Oscar winning director (Hand who rocks the cradle), and Kathryn Bigelow on Strange Days • Reviewing Carrie Fisher’s script revisions on yellow legal pads • Watching dailies with Meryl Streep and her 2.5 year old daughter • The perfect response when a man would say something awful in front of her and being the only woman in many rooms • Whether she would recommend the assistant producer track • Assistant to President of Castle Rock Entertainment, Martin Shafer, from development through international release of Miss Congeniality, The Green Mile, Two Weeks Notice, etc, networking with Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock • Transition to Creative Director and then Director of Development for Castle Rock • Consultant for Tia Mowry for Motown christmas movie with Smoky Robinson and making movies with Hallmark and Netflix • Her role as Vice President for Film and Television at Hello Sunshine (Reese Witherspoon's production company) • How she got Nia Vardolis (who starred in My Big Fat Greek Wedding) to be in her movie Guest: IMDb LinkedIn Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelleSimoneM?ref_src=twsrc%255Egoogle%257Ctwcamp%255Eserp%257Ctwgr%
S4 E2 · Mon, February 20, 2023
Becoming... CEO of Samuel Goldwyn Films Ben Feingold
Ben Feingold is the current CEO of Samuel Goldwyn Films, which licenses, releases and distributes art-house, independent and foreign films. Previous to working at Samuel Goldwyn, he was the President of Columbia TriStar Home Video and the Former President Worldwide Home Entertainment Digital Distribution and Product Acquisitions at Sony Pictures. Samuel Goldwyn Films is dedicated to working with both world-renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories. This is best exemplified by the Academy Award® nominated SUPER SIZE ME; the critically acclaimed feature debut by Francis Lee GOD’S OWN COUNTRY; SXSW winner MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND; Warwick Thornton’s Australian western SWEET COUNTRY starring Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, and Hamilton Morris; the Wim Wenders film, starring James McAvoy and Academy Award winner® Alicia Vikander, SUBMERGENCE; A BOY A GIRL A DREAM starring Omari Hardwick and Meagan Good; Sci-Fi/Fantasy PARADISE HILLS starring Emma Roberts; the horror/thriller film starring Patrick Schwarzenegger and Miles Robbins DANIEL ISN’T REAL; the road-trip comedy COME AS YOU ARE; action packed Scott Adkins lead film DEBT COLLECTORS; MR. JONES starring James Norton, Vanessa Kirby, and Peter Sarsgaard; the sea shanty true story FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS; epic drama WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS starring Academy Award® winner Mark Rylance, Academy Award® nominee Johnny Depp, and Robert Pattinson; FROM THE VINE starring Joe Pantoliano; LGBTQ+ teen comedy DATING AMBER; LUXOR starring Andrea Riseborough; and the Danish Oscar® Entry ANOTHER ROUND starring Mads Mikkelsen. Upcoming releases include RAMS starring Sam Neill; LGBTQ+ COWBOYS starring Steve Zahn and Jillian Bell; horror/thriller DREAMCATCHER; the food-centric FOOD CLUB; and THE GOOD TRAITOR. In this episode, we talk about: • Being the savior behind the movie When Harry Met Sally • How NBC put Seinfeld on the air and cancelled it twice, but how Ben kept the rights to distribution when they sold it • Helped launch the DVD format and the digital business • Made a deal with Dave Chappelle to make one of his first concert movies in 2004 “for what it’s worth” with SHOWTIME • Created the first game show channel • Helped Will Packer make his first movie by giving him his first deal • Why men were the early adopters of DVDs • Turned down running Blockbuster twice because they had too much debt • Making an offer for CODA (which went to Apple for $25 million) and competing with the big streaming platforms • Why a filmmaker should go with Samuel Goldwyn for distribution instead of a larger streaming platform Guest: LinkedIn Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic <a href="https://
Bonus · Thu, February 16, 2023
How Random Acts of Kindness day is your BEST Networking strategy
Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day! In this bonus episode, we dive into why 'random acts of kindness day' can be the strategy behind your networking. Learn what I do to network and maintain relationships as a podcast host and actor. While this is super effective for those in the Entertainment industry, I also teach this strategy to my communication clients who work in various industries. In this episode, you will learn: - My strategies that I use to network with various Mentors and peers in the industry - Why networking is a long game - What you can do right now to support and connect with people in your industry Podcasts mentioned: The Art of Kindness podcast by Rob Peter Paul ZimExcellence with Vongai Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you liked this episode, check out Creating Atomic Habits Part 1 with special guest Kate Bone Check out your Write your Dream Role Starter Kit by Emily Grace. Full Episode with Emily Grace here
S4 E1 · Mon, February 13, 2023
Becoming... Oscar Nominated Writer and Director Debra Granik ("Winter's Bone," "Leave No Trace," "Down to the Bone")
Debra Granik is an American New York City-based independent film and documentary film director and screenwriter. She is most known for 2010's Winter's Bone, which starred Jennifer Lawrence in her breakout performance and for which Granik was nominated for Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, 2004's Down to the Bone, which starred Vera Farmiga, and 2018's Leave No Trace, a film based on the book My Abandonment by Peter Rock. Winter’s Bone won Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic film at the 2010 Sundance film festival. 4 Oscar noms for best adapted screenplay, best actress in a lead role, best supporting actor, best picture. Jennifer Lawrence was nominated for Best Actress and Outstanding Leading Actress for the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, respectively. Other projects Granik has in development include a documentary about life after being released from jail and the subject of recidivism in East Baltimore - that was to feature Felicia "Snoop" Pearson from The Wire and elements of her memoir, Grace After Midnight - but is now a documentary about four former inmates in New York City. In this episode, we talk about: • How the production company for Winter's Bone pulled out at the last minute, which gave her and her partner the freedom to choose an unknown actress who was closer to the age range of the character • Recruiting a fixer: how she develops or recruits a trustworthy group of informants to provide realism and honesty to her stories • How she started: graduated college with a documentary project about a guy in Waltham, MA • Meeting her producing partner and working on the feature film of Snake Feed: Down to the Bone • How she deals mentally and emotionally with intense, dark subject matter • How in Europe, they do a great job nurturing short films as opposed to here, it’s a calling card • Her journey as an independent filmmaker • How projects get presented to her Guest: IMDb Wikipedia Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you liked this episode, check out Executive Producer Director <a href
Bonus · Fri, February 03, 2023
Mini-Series: Making Atomic Habits SATISFYING with Guest host Kate Bone (part 5/5)
Is reading Atomic Habits on your to-do list? For a lot of people, it's that book everyone has been talking about that you've been meaning to read. Look no further. Guest host and Actress Kate Bone joins us to discuss all things habits in this special 5 part mini series. In each mini episode, we will break down a part of Atomic Habits, complete with all of the tips and tricks outlined by author James Clear. Join us as we discuss temptation bundling, habit stacking, identity based habits, habit contracts, habit scorecard, implementation intentions, and more. We share stories on what has worked for us, what feels practical, and what we want to try. Best part is that we are also hosting supplementary "Atomic Habit" integration sessions every week to discuss that weeks episode as a group. Join us this Monday, February 6th at 7pm as we integrate the principles within a supportive community. Sign up here for a chance to be entered in our raffle. Listen to episode 1 in the series here, episode 2 in the series here, and episode 3 in the series here and episode 4 in the series here for more techniques on creating, maintaining and breaking habits. Guest Host: Instagram Wonderwell Website More about her IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, January 27, 2023
Mini-Series: Making Atomic Habits EASY with Guest host Kate Bone (part 4/5)
Is reading Atomic Habits on your to-do list? For a lot of people, it's that book everyone has been talking about that you've been meaning to read. Look no further. Guest host and Actress Kate Bone joins us to discuss all things habits in this special 5 part mini series. In each mini episode, we will break down a part of Atomic Habits, complete with all of the tips and tricks outlined by author James Clear. Join us as we discuss temptation bundling, habit stacking, identity based habits, habit contracts, habit scorecard, implementation intentions, and more. We share stories on what has worked for us, what feels practical, and what we want to try. Best part is that we are also hosting supplementary "Atomic Habit" integration sessions every week to discuss that weeks episode as a group. Join us this Sunday, Jan 29th, 2023 at 7pm as we integrate the principles within a supportive community. Sign up here for a chance to be entered in our raffle. Listen to episode 1 in the series here , episode 2 in the series here , and episode 3 in the series here for more techniques on creating, maintaining and breaking habits. Guest Host: Instagram Wonderwell Website More about her IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, January 20, 2023
Mini-Series: Making Atomic Habits ATTRACTIVE with Guest host Kate Bone (part 3/5)
Is reading Atomic Habits on your to-do list? For a lot of people, it's that book everyone has been talking about that you've been meaning to read. Look no further. Guest host and Actress Kate Bone joins us to discuss all things habits in this special 5 part mini series. In each mini episode, we will break down a part of Atomic Habits, complete with all of the tips and tricks outlined by author James Clear. Join us as we discuss temptation bundling, habit stacking, identity based habits, habit contracts, habit scorecard, implementation intentions, and more. We share stories on what has worked for us, what feels practical, and what we want to try. Best part is that we are also hosting supplementary "Atomic Habit" integration sessions every week to discuss that weeks episode as a group. Join us this Sunday at 7pm as we integrate the principles within a supportive community. Sign up here for a chance to be entered in our raffle. Listen to part 1 in the series here , part 2 in the series here and part 4 in the series here for more techniques on creating, maintaining and breaking habits. Guest Host: Instagram Wonderwell Website More about her IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, January 13, 2023
Mini-Series: Making Atomic Habits OBVIOUS with Guest host Kate Bone (part 2/5)
Is reading Atomic Habits on your to-do list? For a lot of people, it's that book everyone has been talking about that you've been meaning to read. Look no further. Guest host and Actress Kate Bone joins us to discuss all things habits in this special 5 part mini series. In each mini episode, we will break down a part of Atomic Habits, complete with all of the tips and tricks outlined by author James Clear. Join us as we discuss habit stacking, identity based habits, habit contracts, habit scorecard, implementation intentions, and more. We share stories on what has worked for us, what feels practical, and what we want to try. Best part is that we are also hosting supplementary "Atomic Habit" integration sessions every week to discuss that weeks episode as a group. Join us this Sunday at 7pm as we integrate the principles within a supportive community. Sign up here for a chance to be entered in our raffle. Listen to episode 1 in the series here and episode 2 in the series here for more techniques on creating, maintaining and breaking habits. Guest Host: Instagram Wonderwell Website More about her IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle Listen to episode 2 in the series here . Guest Host: Instagram Wonderwell Website More about her IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.
Bonus · Fri, January 06, 2023
Mini-Series: Creating Atomic Habits with Guest host Kate Bone (part 1)
Is reading Atomic Habits on your to-do list? For a lot of people, it's that book everyone has been talking about that you've been meaning to read. Look no further. Guest host and Actress Kate Bone joins us to discuss all things habits in this special 5 part mini series. In each mini episode, we will break down a part of Atomic Habits, complete with all of the tips and tricks outlined by author James Clear. Join us as we discuss habit stacking, identity based habits, habit contracts, habit scorecard, implementation intentions, and more. We share stories on what has worked for us, what feels practical, and what we want to try. Best part is that we are also hosting supplementary "Atomic Habit" integration sessions every week to discuss that weeks episode as a group. Join us this Sunday at 7pm as we integrate the principles within a supportive community. Sign up here for a chance to be entered in our raffle. Listen to episode 2 in the series here . Guest Host: Instagram Wonderwell Website More about her IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E20 · Fri, July 01, 2022
Becoming... Actress and Series Regular Madison Shamoun ("The Lake," "Blackish," "#blackAF")
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Madison Shamoun’s passion for musical theater and talents for acting, dancing, and singing started when she was very young. Recognized for her star potential and undeniable talent, Madison is the recipient of two National Youth Theater Awards for Best Supporting Actress , for her performance as Lucy in “ 13 ” (2013) and Motormouth Maybelle in “ Hairspray” (2015) . Madison recently graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting for Theater, Film, and Television. Following her graduation from UCLA, Madison’s acting career has continued to blossom. A member of SAG-AFTRA, she's worked with directors like Pamela Adlon, Catherine Reitman, Jody Margolin Hahn, and Ken Kwapis. Madison has been featured in guest star roles on ABC’s BLACK-ISH , Netflix’s BlackAF , and Disney’s Sydney To The Max . She has also appeared in FX’s ‘Better Things’ directed by Pamela Aldon, and Maren Morris’ music video ‘Girl’ directed by Dave Myers. Madison’s upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Amazon Original Series , The Lake , starring Julia Stiles, the CW’s All American , 7 Minutes In Hell and The Restart . She also recently starred in a short film for Tribeca’s 2019 YOUTUBE platform, and an MTV commercial spot for Coca Cola. Madison is represented by Buchwald and Brave Artists Management. In this episode, we talk about: • The process of booking “The Lake” on Amazon Prime (with Julia Stiles, Jordan Gavaris) • Getting larangytis for the chemistry read for “The Lake” • Building her team in advance of her major bookings • Staying in Canada alone for 3 months to film the series during the pandemic • How it felt to be top billing on the call sheet • Process for booking a self tape • How she has a coach for every type of script (dialect/accent coach, On Camera Coach, contemporary/artsy/A24 stuff, Multi cam person/comedy) • How much of herself is in her roles • How was it working with Julia Stiles and Jordan Gavaris Guest: IMDb Instagram The Lake on Amazon Prime Host: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mentorsonthe
Bonus · Fri, May 13, 2022
4 Tips to Deal with Rejection (BONUS)
As an actor, I face rejection ALL OF THE FREAKIN TIME You don't even want to know how many auditions I've been on that I haven't booked. It's exhausting. As any creative artist would tell you, it's important to come up with some tips to deal with rejection because sometimes, it's incredibly devastating. We need tactics and tools to pull us out of it. With the help of Amy Koppelman (Season 3, Episode 1) , I share my favorite tips for handling rejection including: • write a thank you letter to your rejectors on why it was a favor that they rejected you (and never send it) • allot time for a pity party • don’t show your family + friends your work early, only show people your work who you feel like will be safe with it (constructive, yet safe) • hold on to the good things and refer back to them as often as you need Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E19 · Mon, May 09, 2022
Becoming... Actor and Series Regular Larry Saperstein ("Big Red" in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)
Larry Saperstein plays "Big Red" in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series , a reinvented take on the two-time Emmy Award-winning "High School Musical" franchise, for Disney+. Saperstein can also be seen opposite Kiernan Shipka in the film "Fan Girl," directed by Paul Jarrett and as Timmy in the first season of BET+’s "First Wives Club." Formally trained as a dancer and vocalist, Saperstein has starred in several regional musicals including "Oliver!," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Miracle on 34th Street.” He also starred as Rusty Griswold in the original workshop reading of Broadway Vacation , a musical adaptation of the 'National Lampoon’s Vacation' franchise, opposite Tony nominee Rob McClure and Kate Reinders. In this episode, we talk about: • His first couple commercial bookings: Crayola, American Express, Goldfish puffs, Xfinity, Samsung • Audition process for High School Musical the Musical Series, including his chemistry read in LA with Joshua Bassett • Getting a VIP ticket to Olivia Rodrigo and showing up in People magazine • His next goals in the entertainment industry • Shooting the third season of High School Musical the musical series in comparison to the second season before the vaccine • Why managers are better for kids than agents and how he got his manager that he is currently with • Going from having acting as a hobby to a career • Our recommendations on how to answer ‘tell me about yourself’ at an agent or manager meeting • His thoughts on LA vs NY Guest: IMDb Instagram Wikipedia Twitter Website Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you liked this episode, check out Actor/Director Tony Goldwyn (President Fi
Bonus · Fri, May 06, 2022
3 Tips to Calm your Nerves (before an audition or presentation - BONUS)
Want 3 Tips to Calm your Nerves before any stressful situation? These tips are great before auditions, presentations, speeches, zoom calls, sales calls. Excerpt from my interview on the GlobalVID podcast , with advice from Mentors including Grammy winning Producer Sandy Vee (Rihanna, David Guetta) and Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Tucker (The Following, The Equalizer, The Affair). Recently, the Global VID Podcast sat down with NYC actor & communication coach, Michelle Simone Miller to talk about dealing with nerves & handling rejection during the pitching/auditioning process in TV & Film. This episode is meant to inspire up & coming producers, actors but there are so many great nuggets of advice on how to deal with performance anxiety, that this can apply to just about anyone who needs help with any kind of public presentation in sales meetings, in the boardroom or in the classroom. --- If you like our videos, please subscribe or follow us on your favorite podcast app (Google, Apple, Spotify, etc.) Visit Globalvidpodcast.com for more info or join our mailing list at https://bit.ly/3qPI8dx --- Global VID Season 2, Episode 10 is hosted/produced by Eric Y. Lapointe and And Now Global, a Vancouver based international content consulting company. Youtube clip of Global Vid podcast with Michelle Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E18 · Mon, May 02, 2022
Becoming... Casting Associate Allison Kirschner at Gayle Keller Casting (Crashing, The King of Staten Island, The Big Sick)
Working alongside Gayle Keller, Allison's projects include several hit series, films and indie features. Allison's credits include: INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, GOTHAM (Season 1), LOUIE (Seasons 4 & 5), THE WHO WAS SHOW (Netflix), THE DETOUR, MAN SEEKING WOMAN, HOUSE OF CARDS (Season 1), CRASHING (Season 1, 2 & 3), the Woody Allen Feature IRRATIONAL MAN, & MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT, Indie features THE GOOD CATHOLIC and MS. WHITE LIGHT, the Judd Apatow feature THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND and the Amazon feature THE BIG SICK. In this episode, we talk about: • Advice to actors for making strong choices in comedy • Casting differences between working on movies and tv shows • How I was cut from HBO's Crashing and whether asking for payment for the shoot date is frowned upon by Casting or production • Her process for casting a role (depending on the size of the role) • The bigger the role, the more people they’ll see. About 15 people per co-star role • Question from Actor Nathaniel Levin: do you find it an obstacle for actors and casting that notes can’t be given in a live room? any advice for this? • Question from Actor Jenny Anne Hochberg: what if agents don’t have a relationship with you, how can actors get on castings radar? • More information about the two projects that she’s working on now (including one with Judd Apatow) Guest: IMDb Linkedin Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out Julie Schubert (who Allison worked for on House of Cards)
Bonus · Fri, April 29, 2022
6 Memory Tips and Tricks (BONUS)
6 Tips to help you memorize your next audition, presentation, or speech Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E17 · Mon, April 25, 2022
Becoming... Primetime Network Television Director Bethany Rooney (Chicago PD, Law & Order, Bull, The Blacklist)
Bethany Rooney has directed more than two hundred thirty episodes of prime-time network television, most recently Law & Order: Organized Crime , Chicago PD and Station 19 . Her credits include many critically-acclaimed series such as Desperate Housewives , Ally McBeal and Brothers & Sisters, and the American long-running classics NCIS and Criminal Minds. For two seasons, she was the Producing Director of the CBS drama Bull , following her earlier stint in that position on the CW drama The Originals. She serves on numerous committees at the Directors Guild of America (DGA), including co-chairing the Diversity Committee, which implemented the first Directors Development Initiative in 2016, including a mentorship program for rising directors. Bethany’s enthusiasm for the craft has also fueled her long-term dedication to teaching the intensive Warner Brothers Directing Workshop. Her book (co-authored with Mary Lou Belli) “Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing” is the preeminent authority at multiple studio and network diversity programs, and in directing classes on many university campuses. In this episode, we talk about: • What an acting class taught her about directing: understanding what they go through and the vocabulary actors use • Tips for actors to make better self tapes • Advice for actors in auditioning and the process in which she is involved in casting • Being in the Dick Wolf family and working on shows like Law & Order, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, etc. and which one is her favorite • How advocating for herself led to her being let go from her first job, but how it all worked out • How she started working with her first agent • Her process for directing an episode of an already established show: read at least 5 previous scripts, every script needs to be fully understood, blocked and shot listed by Day 1 • Wrote a book Directors Tell This Story • Why she loves directing TV: She gets to shoot more, she is energized from hopping around from show to show, she gets to elevate scripts and tell different kinds of stories • Directing 8 episodes of primetime network 1 hour shows in this season alone • How it’s exciting to get a C script and elevate it to a B+ episode • What happens if a showrunner has a different select for a role than a director Guest: IMDb Wikipedia Twitter Website & Blog Book - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Directors-Tell-Story-Television-Directing/dp/1138948
Bonus · Fri, April 22, 2022
That time I was fired by my Headshot Photographer (BONUS STORY)
Here's an actor story for you. The time I was fired by my Headshot Photographer. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E16 · Mon, April 18, 2022
Becoming... The Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast (with 315k Tik Tok followers, Merch, Patreon, and live shows)
Celebrity Memoir Book Club is a podcast hosted by NYC based comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton. Every week they read a celebrity memoir so that you don't have to. Come for the gossip and stay for the banter between two best friends! In this episode, we talk about: • The birth of the ‘Celebrity Memoir Book Club’ podcast • Their Tik Tok marketing strategy and how they grow to 237k followers • Why We Are the best thing she’s ever worked on and how she didn’t hold back at all • Incorporating a patreon, live shows, and merch • Our thoughts on Josh Peck’s “Happy People are Annoying” • How they split responsibilities as co-hosts of their podcast • What Celebrity Memoirs they recommend to look up to as Mentors • Whether the podcast has been increasing their audience in stand up shows, as well as live shows • Celebrity Memoirs discussed: Will Smith - Will Mindy Kaling - Is Everyone Hanging out without me Elvira or Cassandra Peterson - Yours Cruelly, Elvira Janice Dickinson - No Lifeguard on Duty Busy Phillips - This Will Only Hurt A Little Tiffany Haddish - The Last Black Unicorn Rob Lowe - Stories I Only tell my Friends Gabrielle Union - We’re going to need more Wine Nikki and Brie Bella - Incomparable Guest: Apple Podcasts Podcast Instagram Ashley’s Instagram Claire’s Instagram Tik Tok Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, April 15, 2022
10 Tips to Achieve "On Camera Presence" or How to Look and Feel Your Best On Camera (BONUS)
On Camera Presence - 10 Tips for How to Look and Feel your Best On Camera "Before anything else, preparation is the key to SUCCESS." - Alexander Graham Bell A. Be Technically Prepared 1. Well Lit Space 2. Eyes Leveled With Camera 3. Distraction-Free Background B. Be Mentally Prepared 4. Ground and Activate 5. Define Audience 6. Mind your Audience 7. Get there Early and Fully Prepared C. Be Physically Prepared 8. Be Mindful of Hand Gestures 9. Vary Pitch and Tone 10. Maintain Eye Contact Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E15 · Mon, April 11, 2022
Becoming... Executive Vice President at Maven Screen Media Jenny Halper ("The Kindergarten Teacher," "A Mouthful of Air")
Jenny Halper is EVP of Film at Maven Screen Media, where her credits include THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, DRIVEWAYS, AMERICAN HONEY, SKIN, and A MOUTHFUL OF AIR. As a screenwriter her scripts have placed three times on the Black List, on the Athena List, received grants from Film Independent and the Tribeca Film Institute, and been selected for New York Stage and Film’s Workshop (in association with Powerhouse Theater). She is currently developing an anthology series with Freida Pinto and Emily Verellen Strom's Freebird Films and Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi's Significant Productions, a limited series with Michael Dinner's Rooney McP Productions, and adapting a non-fiction book for Social Construct Films (THE MAURITANIAN). In this episode, we talk about: • Her first “real” job at Plum Pictures led her directly to where she is now developing at Mandalay Vision • How working at a small indie production company allowed for her a lot of responsibilities very quickly• Why We Are the best thing she’s ever worked on and how she didn’t hold back at all • Why she only looked at companies that made movies that she loved • Working on The Kindergarden Teacher with Maggie Gyllenhaal • How often do you need the actors attached • Why you can’t have everything in one basket in development because some things never cross the finish line • Maven finds financing for some projects and for some, they provide financing • What advice she would give people to who are attached to making only projects • Taking on A Mouthful of Air with Amanda Seyfried, Paul Giamatti, and Finn Wittrock. Written and directed by Mentor Amy Koppelman and produced by Michael Harrop (Showtime’s Billions) • Would you rather have a big director or big actor attached? • Which cds she loves working with • Some things she looks for in deciding to develop projects Guest: IMDb Linkedin Instagram Maven Screen Media Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle <
Bonus · Fri, April 08, 2022
COMMUNICATION TIPS - How To Deepen your Relationships with Active Listening using RASA
Did you know we are only using 25% of our mental capacity when we listen? What do we do with our other 75%? As a Communications Coach, I love teaching tips to improve Active Listening. One of my favorite strategies to teach is RASA ("juice" or "essence" in Sanskrit). R - Receive (Pay Attention) A - Appreciate (Respond instinctively) S - Summarize (respond with a summary of what the other person is saying) A - Ask (Ask questions) Check out the episode for more information on each. For more help, write to me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Links below. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E14 · Mon, April 04, 2022
Becoming... 2022 ALBUM OF THE YEAR Grammy winning Autumn Rowe (Jon Batiste, Diana Ross, Dua Lipa, Fifth Harmony)
Autumn Rowe won a Grammy yesterday for Jon Batiste’s WE ARE—Autumn co-wrote five of the album’s 13 tracks—she has received nominations for “Record of the Year” for “Freedom” (a track she also produced); “Album of The Year” for WE ARE; “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for “I Need You” and “Best R&B Album” for WE ARE. Additionally, her Diana Ross single “I Still Believe” has recently been remixed by Purple Disco and is burning up the charts! See original and remixed versions in the links below. The legendary songwriter and woman of color has collaborated with some of music’s biggest name such as Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Zendaya, Nicole Scherzinger, The Knocks, Leona Lewis and Avicii! Autumn also wrote the dance anthem behind the 2011 FIFA World Cup “Happiness” featuring Alexis Jordan! Rowe isn’t just a talent songwriter, but also a celebrated vocal coach. She has appeared on season 2 of The X Factor, and as the only vocal coach on America’s Got Talent for five years, between the show’s eight and twelfth seasons. As if all of this wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Rowe is a talented DJ who is self-taught on turntables. In this episode, we talk about: • Working on We Are with Jon Batiste and how she slid into his DMs • Writing for Estelle post-American Boy before signing her first publishing deal with EMI Music and Stellar Songs • Why We Are the best thing she’s ever worked on and how she didn’t hold back at all • Working on the X Factor and arranging songs for contestants, including Britney’s team in 2012. Contestants including Carly Rose Sonenclar and Bea Miller • Process of identifying a song and arranging it for the X Factor • Simon chose Autumn to work with Fifth Harmony and coached artists on songs like “Anything can Happen” • Why she preferred working on AGT to X Factor • Co-writing with Grace Vanderwald on AGT • Advice for people who don’t know what to write about • Tips for songwriters • Where she was when she heard she was nominated for We Are How she gets partnered with artists and how she makes her own opportunities Guest: Wikipedia Instagram Twitter Website Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a href="https://www.facebook.c
Bonus · Fri, April 01, 2022
'Stories from the Vault' with Mentors Marta Kauffman ("Friends") and Brian Volk-Weiss ("Movies That Made Us") BONUS
Here are two incredible stories from Showrunner and Co-Creator of Friends and Grace & Frankie Marta Kauffman and Executive Producer of Movies that Made Us Brian Volk Weiss. These are the stories that haven't been made yet. Brian hopes to develop his story this in the next few years and Marta has pitched her story around Hollywood to no avail. These are the stories that were never made. From Season 2; Episode 15 - Marta Kauffman is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning television writer, producer, and showrunner behind the hit series Friends and Grace & Frankie . After graduating from Brandeis University, Kauffman got her big break alongside David Crane when their pilots Dream On (1990) and The Powers That Be (1992) were green-lit. The pair then launched Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions with Kevin Bright and became the trio that created the iconic sitcom Friends. In 2015, Kauffman started her production company, Okay Goodnight, with industry veterans Robbie Tollin and Hannah KS Canter. Their first series, Grace & Frankie, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston premiered on Netflix in 2015 and is Netflix’s longest-running original ever. The series has received multiple Emmy and SAG nominations and is beginning production on the seventh and final season. In 2018, the company produced the documentary Seeing Allred, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is currently available on Netflix. Kauffman has received a number of honors and awards including the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in television writing from the Writers Guild of America, the 2016 Outstanding Television Writer award at the 23rd annual Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference, The Kieser Award at the 44th Annual Humanitas Awards, and Variety’s TV Producers Impact Report for consecutive years in 2019 and 2020. From Season 3; Episode 10 - Brian Volk-Weiss is the founder and CEO of the Nacelle Company, a leading Comedy producing and distribution house. Nacelle has produced and distributed scripted and unscripted content and established podcasting, development, distribution, records, publishing, marketing and management divisions. Volk-Weiss has created, directed and produced hits such as Netflix’s docu-series, Down To Earth with Zac Efron, The Movies That Made Us, and The Toys That Made Us, and Kevin Hart’s Guide To Black History, as well as Behind The Attraction for Disney +, A Toy Store Near You, CW’s Discontinued, All The Way Black for BET+, and History’s Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek. He served as EP on the revival of the 1992 series Mad About You. He has been nominated 19 times for Grammy Awards for
S3 E13 · Mon, March 28, 2022
Becoming... Actress, Filmmaker, and Coach Chantal Maurice ("Greys Anatomy," "Queen Sugar," "The Blacklist," "Blue Bloods")
Chantal Maurice is an award-winning actress & filmmaker. She has booked roles on over 15 Television shows including P-Valley, Queen Sugar, Blue Bloods, Quantico, The Blacklist, & more. She most recently guest starred as Rashida Flowers, a lively social media influencer suffering from Kidney Failure on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Some of her film credits include: “Christmas DejaVu” Starring Loretta Devine and “Holiday Heartbreak'' featuring LisaRaye McCoy. With 2 short films under her belt, Chantal is also an award-winning screenwriter & filmmaker. Her first short film, "Edge of Harmony" follows the journey of Harmony Bessler, a troubled Jazz singer in the 1930s. Edge of Harmony was accepted into 8 film festivals around the U.S. and won the award of Best Musical Drama at the 2018 Cutting Room International Short Film Festival in NYC. Chantal is also the Founder & CEO of CoStar Coaching - Atlanta's premiere Empowerment & Resource Hub for Actors. CoStar Coaching provides virtual & in-person audition coaching, career consultations, self-tape services, and acting classes. CoStar Coaching was designed to empower actors of all levels to unleash and strengthen their talents and skills to Slay their Auditions and BOOK the job. In this episode, we talk about: • The pros and cons of the Atlanta market that may surprise you (definitely surprised me) • Defining what is uniquely her, all the way from how she booked her first job • How her corporate job in NY made her really unhappy and how she couldn’t audition • How infuriating it is that schools don’t cover the business of acting • How she started being called the Co Star Queen • Her reluctance to teach because ‘does someone like Angela Bassett coach actors?’ and how she helped define her purpose • The difficult decision to move to Atlanta after an accident • Three bookings in Atlanta propelled her career and confirmed her move • The story behind booking a recurring Guest Star on Grey’s Anatomy • Tips for people wanting to book Co-Stars and those wanting to book Guest Stars • Tips for validating yourself and doing things in fear Guest: IMDB Instagram Twitter Website LinkedIn Host: IG: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a hre
Bonus · Fri, March 25, 2022
Actors: How to Write your Dream Role with Emily Grace (BONUS)
Emily Grace is a career coach and Sundance award winning actress who helps actors finally write their damn script already and know what to do with it. Do you have an interest in writing a script but just don't know where to start? I loved Emily's technique of creating a Character Square. In her free video, she breaks down everything you need to know to start writing right now. She even breaks down the first scene in The Devil Wears Prada so we could understand the wants and needs and conflicts of the protagonist and antagonist. After listening to her episode, check out the video we discuss here . Guest: IMDB Twitter Website Write your Dream Role video Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E12 · Mon, March 21, 2022
Becoming… TV & Film Producer Michael Harrop ("Billions" "A Mouthful of Air")
Michael Harrop is a Motion Pictures and Film Consultant and Contractor. He is currently a co-executive producer on Billions. He was also a producer for "A Mouthful of Air" starring Amanda Seyfried (and directed by Mentor Amy Koppelman ). He's also worked on films including Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, I Smile Back, Nice Guy Johnny, and more. He is also worked as an associate producer on the TV Show Public Morals (TNT) . In this episode, we talk about: • Why he decided to work in New York as a Production Assistant. • Being on Goldcrest for 5-6 years and working on his way up. • Him volunteering as a Post-production Supervisor, meeting Edward Burns and Connie Britton • How he continued working with Edward Burns from a Post-production Supervisor to being a Producer. • How he was able to launch Public Morals, Newlyweds, Nice Guy Johnny as a Producer. • The range of micro-budget film and its meaning • The responsibilities of a Post-production Supervisor • Different kinds of Producers and how raising money is part of their job • How he decided his next project • How he got involved in Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List • The difference between producing tv shows and films and the pros and cons of working in NY Guest: Twitter LinkedIn IMDB Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this, I recommend episode 3.2 with Director and Writer Amy Koppelman .
Bonus · Fri, March 18, 2022
What is NYWIFT and how can it be a resource for YOU? (BONUS)
What is the New York Women in Film and Television or NYWIFT and how can they be a resource to you right now? Maybe funds or grants for your next film? Or a community to network? Or do you need your next DP or Director for a project? Join me and the ladies of NYWIFT to discuss what NYWIFT can offer and their podcast 'Women Crush Wednesdays" highlighting some incredible people in Film and Television. Katie Chambers is a communications executive and event producer with a lifelong commitment to supporting artists and advocating for inclusion. She is currently the Senior Director of Community and Public Relations for New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), where she manages both Communications and Membership and produces Special Events. The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in media by illuminating their achievements, providing training and professional development opportunities, and advocating for equality. Katie guides and manages NYWIFT’s presence both online and off; institutes membership drives; produces and moderates monthly screenings and networking parties; builds partnerships with like-minded organizations; implements communications initiatives for special projects, including The Writers Lab funded by Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, and Oprah Winfrey; and is strategic advisor to the Board and Executive Director in regards to Communications, Membership, and Public Affairs Initiatives. Janine McGoldrick is a veteran entertainment executive who has created and implemented strategic distribution and publicity campaigns for numerous studios and clients including HBO, Cohen Media, Universal Pictures, Artisan Entertainment, Lionsgate, BBC, and New Line to help launch some of the most exciting releases in film, television and home entertainment -- including the 2017 Academy Award-winner The Salesman . Currently, through her company 2nd Chapter Productions, she works as an entertainment strategist and is developing the documentary film Unheard: The Ears of Meniere’s . Guests NYWIFT Instagram Website Podcast Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://ww
S2 E11 · Mon, March 14, 2022
Becoming… International Bestselling Author Jenny Hale (Hallmark’s ‘Coming Home for Christmas’ and ‘Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses’)
Jenny Hale is a USA Today , Amazon, and international bestselling author of over 15 romantic fiction titles. Her books have sold worldwide and have been adapted for television, appearing on The Hallmark Channel as part of their famous Christmas lineup. Coming Home for Christmas was published in 2013 and the movie adaptation for Hallmark starred Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years. Her book Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses was adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie in 2019 starring Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis (who you might know as Warner from Legally Blonde). She’s been included in Oprah Magazine ’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and in Southern Living ’s list of “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” She is also founder and director of Harpeth Road Press. In between having her nose in a book and writing her next novel, she’s running around Nashville taking photos and getting into mischief with her hubby, two kids, and their labradoodle. Her first Harpeth Road release is available worldwide in eBook, paperback and audiobook. In this episode, we talk about: • Publishing ten books without an agent • Butterfly Sisters hit #1 in American Contemporary Fiction on Amazon US on preorder • How her first novel, Coming Home for Christmas got picked up for Hallmark • How she was going to stop submitting her book Coming Home for Christmas before getting a contract • How her book took off and was bought out by the third largest publisher in the US • Why she is never married to her manuscript and how she feels about changes to an adapted screenplay • The Hallmark movie adaptation of her book Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Wishes • The breakdown of her writing process and writing 2-3 books a year • Tips for writers to write including writing at a coffee shop and 2000 words a day • What is a publishing imprint and why and how she created her own • What she is looking for in submissions Guest: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyhaleauthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhaleauthor/ Website: https://www.itsjennyhale.com/ Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website:<a href="http://www.
Bonus · Fri, March 11, 2022
Tips for Actors by Top Casting Director Mentors (BONUS)
Question: What do each of the following Casting Directors have in common? Besides being a guest on Mentors on the Mic. Answer: They all loved giving tips to Actors! When I asked these incredible award-winning Casting Directors their tips for actors, this is what they shared Featuring Casting Directors: Kim Graham - Season 1 Episode 12 (Homeland) Jenny Ravitz - Season 2 Episode 6 (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD) Julie Schubert - Season 2 Episode 2 (House of Cards, Jessica Jones, For Life, Manifest) Julie Tucker - Season 3 Episode 5 (Nurse Jackie, White Collar, The Equalizer, The Affair) If you liked this bonus episode, check out our Self Tape Tips for Actors from Casting Directors , where we share their favorite tips for making Self Tapes. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E10 · Mon, March 07, 2022
Becoming... Film & TV Producer, Director and CEO Brian Volk Weiss ("Films That Made Us," "Down to Earth w/ Zac Efron")
How do you sell to Netflix? Brian Volk-Weiss is the founder and CEO of the Nacelle Company, a leading Comedy producing and distribution house. Nacelle has produced and distributed scripted and unscripted content and established podcasting, development, distribution, records, publishing, marketing and management divisions. Volk-Weiss has created, directed and produced hits such as Netflix’s docu-series, Down To Earth with Zac Efron, The Movies That Made Us, and The Toys That Made Us, and Kevin Hart’s Guide To Black History, as well as Behind The Attraction for Disney +, A Toy Store Near You, CW’s Discontinued, All The Way Black for BET+, and History’s Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek. He served as EP on the revival of the 1992 series Mad About You. He has been nominated 19 times for Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album and won 4 for production on performances by Louis C.K. and Dave Chappelle. Through his years managing, producing, directing and writing in the entertainment industry, Volk-Weiss has negotiated deals with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, HBO, Discovery, BET+, A&E Networks, Hulu, Viacom, History, and many more. He’s grown Nacelle’s comedy house, Comedy Dynamics, into the nation’s largest independent producer and distributor of stand up comedy.He served as EP on the revival of the 1992 series Mad About You. In this episode, we talk about: • The only job he’s ever been fired from (unjustifiably) - and how that lesson has helped him his whole career: “Appearance is sometimes as important to action.” • The systematic approach he had to making it in Hollywood and why it wouldn’t work in NY • How he lived off of $3k for 15 months working unpaid jobs - before he got a lucky break • How he turned a job he didn’t like - being a manager to what he wanted to do, which was make TV and film • The book that made them change their entire business model and a library of over 1000 hours they still make money from • His tenets of directing comedy specials vs documentaries • Toys that made us took us 7 years to sell • What he looks for in a story and does he now cater to the audience • The most interesting story that he wants to share involving Chester A Arthur • Why he may not have started a toy division if he knew what it would entail Guest: IMDB Wikipedia Instagram Linkedin Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michellesi
Bonus · Fri, March 04, 2022
Are Directors and Producers involved in casting episodic TV or Pilots? (With Jason Ensler)
Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing , The Newsroom , Scrubs , Gossip Girl , Franklin & Bash , The Passage , The Exorcist , Brooklyn Nine-Nine , Red Band Society , and most recently, Love, Victor on HULU (to name a few). In this special mini Bonus episode, we talk about: Are Episodic Directors involved in casting episodics? Are Episodic Directors involved in casting pilots? How about Producers or Executive Producers? Resources: Website Wikipedia IMDB Twitter: @Jason_Ensler Instagram: @jensler43 Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out: - Episode 1.16 for his full interview - Bonus Episode on Social Media Tips for Actors - Bonus Episode on Advice for Guest Stars Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E7 · Mon, February 28, 2022
Becoming... Screenwriter Karen McCullah ("Legally Blonde," "10 Things I Hate About You," "She's the Man")
Karen McCullah has written the movies LEGALLY BLONDE, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, ELLA ENCHANTED, SHE’S THE MAN, THE HOUSE BUNNY and THE UGLY TRUTH. She also did uncredited work on GIRLS TRIP which was the highest grossing comedy of 2017. Her novel, The Bachelorette Party was translated into 12 languages. She attended James Madison University, in VA. In this episode, we talk about: • How she and her writing partner started working on their first major film, the screenplay for 10 Things I Hate About You • Being pitched twice in the same day to write Legally Blonde and the changes they made from the original manuscript • How she taught herself to write screenplays and 3 tips she would give to ANYONE starting right now • The viral Legally Blonde theory: was Elle and Vivian supposed to get together in the end? • Helping out on the screenplay for Ella Enchanted • Pushing for Channing Tatum's casting after watching his self tape before he was famous • How The House Bunny with Anna Faris came about, starting with a billboard and a coffee date • Who she is still in touch with on The Ugly Truth and how delighted she was to make the movie Rated R • What's next for her and how many projects actually get picked up Book recommendations for new writers: Save the Cat books by Blake Snyder How to Write a Movie in 21 Days: The Inner Movie Method by Viki King Making a Good Writer Great: A Creativity Workbook for Screenwriters by Linda Seger Resources to read scripts: Outstanding Screenplays WGA Karen: “Read as many scripts as you can!” Twitter : https://twitter.com/karenmccullah1 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/karenmccullah Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a href="https://www.f
Bonus · Fri, February 25, 2022
5 Tips that Will Make You a Better Storyteller (BONUS)
5 Essentials to Storytelling 5 tips that will make you a better storyteller. I teach Storytelling tips to clients all of the time. I have corporate and private clients, one day intensives, and 3 week workshops where I teach tips to tell engaging and powerful stories. Sometimes I talk about how we tell stories, but I also focus on teaching the content of our stories. How do we shape our stories for maximum impact? The 5 Essentials we discuss in this episode are: Identify your Audience - Who are you talking to? Identify your Why - Why is this story important to tell? Story Arc What are some details that you can add? Sensory details and names of people and places Call to Action or Moral Check out this link to get my 5 Essentials to Storytelling Checklist and Sensory worksheet for FREE . Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 Enull · Mon, February 21, 2022
Becoming... Music Manager and CEO of Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures Lucas Keller
Lucas Keller, is a veteran manager and CEO and Founder of Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures, one of the biggest global management company for Songwriters, Producers and DJ’s in the world. Keller has over 25 employees, offices in Los Angeles, London, New York, Nashville, Dallas, Amsterdam, Australia/New Zealand and recently launched a sports division that manages 15 athletes in the NFL. Keller’s clients have had some of the biggest global hits his year including Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” (co-produced by client Stuart Price) and BTS’ chart-topping “Butter” as well as “Dynamite” and “Permission to Dance,” from client Jenna Andrews. The Milk & Honey roster has collectively sold over half a billion records and the company has market share on the pop charts that normally only the major publishing companies have. In addition, Keller has sold over 9 figures in music publishing catalog assets in 2021 and the company is considered to be experts in the space. Keller has been featured on the Billboard Top 100 Change Agents, Billboard Power 100 Heat Seekers, the Billboard 40 Under 40, Billboard Pride 100 most influential LGBTQ, Out Magazine’s New Hollywood Leaders and has been listed across music trades as of the most influential people in the modern music business. INC magazine rated Keller’s Milk & Honey in the upper 20 percentile of the Top 5000 fastest growing companies in America. In this episode, we talk about: • Two tips he would give to artists without any connections in the Music business • How he got Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years placed in Twilight and how that song, in addition to Nick Jonas’s Jealous, provided a proof of concept in starting his company • The importance of Business Mentors and not just Artist Mentors • Why he advocates for songwriters and producers • How he has never signed a contract for representation, all handshakes • How he discovers a majority of new artists • The importance of diversifying your business with assets and services Guest: Wikipedia Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Music Business Summit Worldwide's article on Lucas Keller: My Manifesto Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @Mich
S3 E7 · Mon, February 14, 2022
Becoming... Bestselling Author, Brand Marketer, and CEO of Leave Your Mark Aliza Licht
Aliza Licht is a digital and brand marketer with over two decades of experience. She is also the Founder & President of LEAVE YOUR MARK LLC; a multi-media brand focused on career development and personal branding. As a global mentor, LEAVE YOUR MARK currently includes a best-selling book, podcast, community, and live mentorship events. The book has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. It is ranked in the Book Authority's "100 Best Career Development Books of All Time" and is required reading in many universities across the country. Licht was dubbed one of America's "Next Top Mentors" by The New York Times and Business Insider's Most Innovative Career Coaches. Currently, Licht is the Head of Social Media and Brand Experiences at Warby Parker, a new role for the company which she assumed in June 2021. Licht is most known for her work as the creator and voice behind the award-winning social personality DKNY PR GIRL. Recognized as a pioneer in digital, Licht was one of the first people in the fashion industry to launch a social media personality on Twitter. As DKNY PR GIRL, she organically built a multi-platform community of over 1.5mm followers. Licht is a founding board member and Vice President at American Influencer Council, the only recognized trade organization for creators in the U.S. In this episode, we talk about: • How she finagled her first internship at Harpers Bazaar without any relevant experience and an unrelated major • Assistant Accessories editor at Marie Claire to moving to Public Relations at DKNY • What you have to do to pitch yourself for a job without any relevant experience • How she helped create DKNY PR girl, a play on Gossip Girl, which became HUGE and really started fashion in Twitter • Launching Leave your Mark podcast and why it’s the best networking tool • What happened when Sandra Bullock doesn't wear her "confirmed" DKNY dress • Being recruited for Alice & Olivia as Global Marketing Communications • Her tremendous book launch strategy of Leave Your Mark, 8 million impressions of support • Her advice for networking: remember to close the loop Guest: Website Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Articles in Forbes Leave your Mark podcast Aliza's Bestselling book Leave your Mark Join Aliza's 25 Day Personal
Bonus · Fri, February 11, 2022
Director/Executive Producer Jason Ensler on Advice for GUEST STARS (LOVE VICTOR on HULU)
Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing , The Newsroom , Scrubs , Gossip Girl , Franklin & Bash , The Passage , The Exorcist , Brooklyn Nine-Nine , Red Band Society , and most recently, Love, Victor on HULU (to name a few). In this episode, we talk about: - What he feels Guest Stars should come in with - What the "Musculature" things are and how they should be second nature - "Art is the process of creating a place where art is possible" - The 40 Year Old Virgin - Being ready to play and open to surprise and more Resources: Website Wikipedia IMDB Twitter: @Jason_Ensler Instagram: @jensler43 Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out: - Episode 1.16 for his full interview - Bonus Episode on Social Media Tips for Actors Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E6 · Mon, February 07, 2022
Becoming... Warner Music Asia's Head of K-pop and J-pop Shin Cho
Shin Cho is the head of K-pop and J-pop and marketing director for Asia/Korea at Warner Music Group. He is an experienced marketing expert with a demonstrated history of working in the music industry in International, Asian, K-pop, and J-pop. Shin is skilled in management, marketing, international marketing, marketing strategy, and digital marketing. He is also a strong marketing professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Information Technology from Rutgers University. Join Michelle Miller with Shin Cho as they chat about working his way up the music industry as an intern. Shin is Warner Music Asia’s head of K-pop and J-pop. He shares his marketing strategy of making Western artists, bands and groups collaborate with their Eastern counterparts. He also discussed the growing and post-pandemic market and the return of tours. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in this episode: • Shin’s journey into the entertainment industry • Promotion of international artists in the Korean market, and vice-versa • Importance of storytelling and brand-creating as an artist • How collaborations between Western and Eastern artists are made, including the story behind Way Back Home’ from Korean DJ/artist SHAUN with UK artist Conor Maynard and EDM giant Sam Feldt. • Lessons from projects in Shin’s career that did not turn out as expected • How Shin works with others on creating collaborations and strategizing for a new year • How Tik Tok is seen differently in Korea than NY still (when it comes to music) • And so much more! ~ You can find Shin Cho on . . . Rolling Stone Feature: https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/warner-music-asias-head-of-k-pop-shin-cho-future-25-1079707/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shin-cho-110395169/ ~ Connect with Michelle! Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, February 04, 2022
Director/Executive Producer Jason Ensler on Social Media for Actors (Bonus Series)
Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing , The Newsroom , Scrubs , Gossip Girl , Franklin & Bash , The Passage , The Exorcist , Brooklyn Nine-Nine , Red Band Society , and most recently, Love, Victor on HULU (to name a few). In this episode, we talk about: - Do actors need a social media presence? - Do followers matter? - When do directors and producers look at social media? For what sort of roles? - What does he like to see? What does he not like to see? - How can you curate your social media to get the roles you want? Resources: Website Wikipedia IMDB Twitter: @Jason_Ensler Instagram: @jensler43 Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.16 for his full interview Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E5 · Mon, January 31, 2022
Becoming... Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Tucker "The Equalizer," "The Affair," "The Americans"
Julie Tucker is a two time Emmy winning Casting Director (7 times nominated). Tucker/Meyerson Casting recently worked on projects including Queen Latifah’s "The Equalizer," the final "Dexter," Chapter, "The Expanse," "The Hot Zone, Anthrax," and the Jennifer Lopez feature film, "Marry Me." Past television credits include: "Damages" (Emmy and Artios Award), "Six Feet Under" (Emmy and CSA Artios Award for NY Casting), "Rescue Me" (CSA Artios Award), "Hunters," "The Affair," "Nurse Jackie," "Sneaky Pete," "White Collar," "The Following," Fringe," "The Big C," "The Americans," "In Treatment," "Lincoln Rhyme," "The Baker and the Beauty," "Tell Me A Story," "Sleepy Hollow," "Limitless," "Black Box," "Those Who Kill," "The Michael J. Fox Show," "Sirens," "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll," "Allegiance," "Canterbury’s Law," "Love Monkey," "The Book of Daniel" and the first three seasons of "Law and Order: SVU." In addition to television and film, she has been on staff and cast for The Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theater Club, and The Williamstown Theater Festival. Before casting, Julie directed Off-Broadway and assisted directors Terrence Malick and Martin Charnin. In this episode, we talk about: • What actors should be doing right now to best prepare them for going back to in person auditions • First roles in Entertainment including actor, assistant stage manager at La Mama, internship at The Public, casting assistant, and agent assistant. • What she would give up her Emmy for • Forming Tucker/Meyerson with Ross Meyerson and why they compliment together • What self tape tips she recommends to actors that would help for future in-person auditions • How self tapes help her see 65% more actors and if she watches the whole self tape • Lightening round on shows she’s worked on including Six Feet Under , The Following , Nurse Jackie , etc. • Incredible tips for what to do when you’re nervous (and more about her upcoming book) • How you can still book work with nervous energy and a red face Resources: Audrey Helps Actors Sponsors: Lights Camera Rolling Mom podcast We Audition - Promo Code MICHELLE25 for 25% off monthly or annual plans Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a href="https://www.fa
Bonus · Fri, January 28, 2022
3 Ways you can CREATE YOUR OWN WORK from top Mentors (BONUS)
Everyone tells you to create your own work, but what actually works? In this bonus episode, I discuss three ways my Mentors have created their own work. Mentors include: - Actor/Director Tony Goldwyn ( Scandal , King Richard, The Hot Zone: Anthrax , Tarzan ) - Film/TV Director Rosemary Rodriguez ( The Walking Dead , The Good Wife , Law & Order: SVU ) - Director/Actor Ben Giroux ( Henry Danger , Hart of Dixie , Big Nate , Danger Force ) PLUS inspiring words from Director Jason Ensler ( Love, Victor ; The Exorcist , The Passage ) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E4 · Mon, January 24, 2022
Becoming... Film/TV Director Rosemary Rodriguez "The Walking Dead" "Law & Order SVU" "Acts of Worship"
Rosemary Rodriguez is a film and television director. In 2001, she wrote, produced and directed a feature film called Acts of Worship , about a young woman struggling with drug addiction. The film was nominated for, and won, numerous independent film awards and screened at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival . In 2015, she directed the film Silver Skies starring George Hamilton. In 2004, she started directed Television on the show Third Watch . Her TV credits are numerous and include Law & Order, Rescue Me, Castle, White Collar, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Elementary, Jessica Jones, Sneaky Pete, The Tick , and more. In this episode, we talk about: • Her “late start” directing and saving money from her corporate job to fund her first film Acts of Worship • How Acts of Worship is semi-autobiographical and how living on the streets fueled her in her path • Her advice for any actor or creative • Why she was overwhelmed at Sundance and how she started directing TV • How she beats herself over “wasted time” • Are directors part of the casting decisions in TV and how long she normally has to prepare for a given project • How it took 20 years for her to direct a film she hasn’t personally financed • Her definition of success and why it made me tear up • How and why being a director informs what she chooses to read Guest: Wikipedia IMDB Twitter: @rosemarydirects Instagram: @rosemarydirects Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, January 21, 2022
TOP Entertainment News in only 5 Minutes (BONUS)
You read that right... I read the Trades so you don't have to. 📰 I chose the top 5 stories this week to share with you from the major trades. ⏲️ Ever wish you had more time (or desire) to read what's going on in Entertainment? ℹ️ Want to feel informed on the biggest things going on right now? 🧐 Don't know which trades to scan through? Or simply, you don't feel like it. 🎙️Check out this quick bonus episode where I share the top stories from this week in 5 minutes or less. This week: - Filming in Space - Britney Spears update - Is Production increasing or decreasing in Hollywood? + more. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @ MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E3 · Mon, January 17, 2022
Becoming... Showrunner/Writer Marshall Herskovitz "Blood Diamond" "The Last Samurai""My So Called Life"
MARSHALL HERSKOVITZ is a writer, producer, and director who has won numerous awards for his work in television and film. Born in Philadelphia, he attended Brandeis University, then moved to Los Angeles in 1975, where he attended the American Film Institute. One of his classmates was Edward Zwick, and there the two created what is currently the longest-surviving creative partnership in Hollywood: The Bedford Falls Company, named for the town in Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life . In the ensuing decades they created such TV series as thirtysomething , My So-Called Life , and Once and Again ; and Herskovitz variously produced and/or wrote many films with Zwick, including Legends of the Fall , Traffic , The Last Samurai , and Blood Diamond . Herskovitz also directed Jack the Bear and the cult-favorite Dangerous Beauty . In 2007, Herskovitz created the groundbreaking online series and social network quarterlife , which at the time was the internet’s most successful scripted series, and the first online series to transition to network television. A longtime environmentalist, Herskovitz has served on the board of several organizations dedicated to fighting climate change. He is a past president of the Producers Guild of America. In this episode, we talk about: • The Last Samurai and working with Tom Cruise • His first role in the Entertainment industry and his first job while still at film school. • If AFI (American Film Institute) prepared him for the industry and what he took from it • The transition from writer to Showrunner and the birth of the hit show thirtysomething • Working with his partner Edward Zwick and their initial different strengths and weaknesses. • How he and Ed work together now; who directs and who writes. • Working on some of his biggest projects • Tips for aspiring actors About the Guest: Twitter Wikipedia IMDb Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.co
Bonus · Fri, January 14, 2022
Self Tape Tips for Actors from the Top Casting Directors (BONUS)
Question: What do each of the following Casting Directors have in common? Besides being a guest on Mentors on the Mic. Answer: They all loved giving tips to Actors regarding Self Tapes. Self Tapes are the new normal. For non-Actors out there, these are how actors submit auditions now that we're not going in person. For this mini bonus episode, we are going over these Casting Directors's top Self Tape tips. Featuring Casting Directors: Kim Graham - Season 1 Episode 12 (Homeland) Jenny Ravitz - Season 2 Episode 6 (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD) Julie Schubert - Season 2 Episode 2 (House of Cards, Jessica Jones, For Life, Manifest) Julie Tucker - upcoming guest (Nurse Jackie, White Collar, The Equalizer, The Affair) ***Correction - The second clip is from Julie Schubert, not Kim Graham Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S3 E2 · Mon, January 10, 2022
Becoming... Writer/ Director Amy Koppelman ("A Mouthful of Air" starring Amanda Seyfried)
Amy Koppelman is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, A Mouthful of Air and I Smile Back . Her recent directorial debut for A Mouthful of Air stars Amanda Seyfreid, Finn Wittrock, Jennifer Carpenter and Paul Giamatti. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania, and an MFA in fiction from Columbia University. Koppelman and her screenwriting partner adapted I Smile Back for the screen. The film, starring Sarah Silverman, premiered at the 2015 Sundance, Toronto and Deauville Film Festivals. Her other book is called Hesitation Wounds. Shownotes • Tips for dealing with REJECTION; what Amy does to push through the consistent rejection of being a writer and director • What she thought of the other writers in her MFA program at Columbia and how much they disliked her • How she got her first agent for A Mouthful of Air after being rejected from “all of the agents in NY” • How she got her novel I Smile Back to Sarah Silverman and made that into a movie on a low budget, before premiering at Sundance • How difficult it was to get financing for A Mouthful of Air , despite having Amanda Seyfried at meetings • How she went from being asked by Amanda Seyfried not to direct A Mouthful of Air to getting her blessing • Why you have to be indefatigable to pursue a career as an artist • How you get to the next place in your career as an artist Amy Koppelman IMDb Twitter Amazon books Trailer for A Mouthful of Air Review from Time Magazine Where to Watch: Prime Video Apple TV Vudu More Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelleSimoneM?ref_src=twsrc%255Egoogle%257Ctwcamp
S3 E1 · Mon, January 10, 2022
Becoming... TV/Film Actor and Director Tony Goldwyn "Scandal," "King Richard"
Tony Goldwyn is an American actor, producer, and director, known for playing the role of President Fitzgerald Grant III in the ABC drama “Scandal.” He has acted in films, such as “Ghost,” “The Last Samurai,” “The Last House on the Left,” “The Mechanic,” “Divergent,” “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” and “The Belko Experiment.” Recently, he was seen in the movie, “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House.” In addition, he has directed a few episodes of hit TV series like “Dexter,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Six Degrees,” “Damages,” “Justified,” “Hawthorne,” and “Scandal.” Goldwyn is also known for his political activism and has been a supporter of Hillary Clinton. To support Clinton’s Presidential campaign, he even directed an ad which featured other celebrities like Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, Viola Davis, and Ellen Pompeo. Goldwyn is also a spokesman for the Americares Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides emergency medical aid in the USA and around the world. In this episode, we talk about: • T ony’s start in theater and his transition to film and television • Why actors must have a creative network of their own to gain traction, given the competition • Scoring his breakout role in Ghost and the opportunities (and lack of opportunities) that he gained after • How he approached his transition into directing that he recommends for every new director • The three criteria in determining any project he takes on • What the experience was like getting cast for “Scandal” and working with Kerry Washington, Shonda Rhimes, and many others: Available on youtube • How Tony went about his role for the 2021 film, “King Richard,” and for the National Geographic limited series, “Hot Zone: Anthrax” • His definition of success About the Guest: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Goldwyn IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001282/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonygoldwyn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonygoldwyn/ Host: Instagram: @ MentorsontheMic @ MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @ MentorsontheMic @ MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.co
Bonus · Fri, December 24, 2021
Definitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 4 (with Tony Goldwyn and Julie Tucker)
What is your Definition of Success? I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition. This episode features answers from: 📺 President of Production and Development at Wayfarer Studios Andrew Calof Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 16 📺 Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Tucker (Sneak Peek of Season 3) 📺 Actor/Director Tony Goldwyn (Sneak Peek of Season 3) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, December 17, 2021
Definitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 3
What is your Definition of Success? I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition. This episode features answers from: 📺 Showrunner/Writer Mark A Altman (Pandora on CW) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 12 📺 Producer Creative Director Jill Hoppenheim (Bagg Street Productions) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 4 📺 Billboard Charting Vocalist and Viral Sensation Chris Mann Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 5 📺 TV Writer and Filmmaker Felicia Pride (Grey's Anatomy, Queen Sugar) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 11 📺 Emmy-nominated Composer Beau Black (Disney) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 1 Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, December 10, 2021
Definitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 2
What is your Definition of Success? I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition. This episode features answers from: 📺 5x Emmy-winning Executive Producer and Director Rob Burnett (Late Night with David Letterman, Fundamentals of Caring) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 15 📺 Emmy-winning Casting Director Julie Schubert (The Devil Wears Prada, The Departed) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 2 📺 Grammy-winning Producer Sandy Vee (Rihanna, Katy Perry, David Guetta) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 10 📺 Award-winning Director and Producer Winter Dunne (Junebug, Jezebel - on Netflix) Full Episode - Season 2; Episode 9 Definitions of Success Part 1 Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Fri, December 03, 2021
Definitions of Success from Top Mentors - Part 1
What is your Definition of Success? I chose some of my favorite answers to this question from our Season 2 Mentors for a quick (>10) min episode. Some answers may inspire you, some may make you laugh, and others may force you to rethink your own definition. This episode features answers from: 📺 VP of Disney TV Animation (Current series and Diversity) Jay Francis (Episode 2.7) 📺 Showrunner & Co-Creator (Friends, Grace & Frankie) Marta Kauffman (Episode 2.14) 📺 Casting Director (Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD) Jenny Ravitz (Episode 2.6) 📺 Actor, Tik Tok star, Content Creator, Director Ben Giroux (Episode 2.3) Definitions of Success Part 2 Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Mon, November 29, 2021
Sneak Peek featuring TV/Film Actor Tony Goldwyn
Sneak peek for Season 3, beginning Monday, January 10th, starring TV/Film Actor and Director Tony Goldwyn. Tony's credits include Scandal , Ghost , Tarzan , The Last Samurai , Divergent , and more. Currently, he is in King Richard (in theaters and available on HBO MAX right now), as well as The Hot Zone: Anthrax , playing on National Geographic and available soon on Hulu. In this episode, we talk about: • My upcoming season of Mentors on the Mic podcast • A sneak peek of Tony Goldwyn's episode (the full interview available on Monday, January 10th) relaying the gripping story of how he booked his breakthrough role in Ghost (starring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg) • What to expect from my short Friday bonus episodes King Richard is currently showing in Theaters and on HBO Max. The Hot Zone: Anthrax is a three night series starting Nov 28th, 2021. It will be available soon on Hulu. Guest: Twitter: @tonygoldwyn Wikipedia IMDB Instagram: @tonygoldwyn More information on the Ultimate Music Business Summit Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E16 · Mon, June 14, 2021
Becoming... President of Production and Development Andrew Calof
Andrew Calof is the President of Production and Development of Wayfarer Studios, most recently responsible for CLOUDS on Disney+ and led by JANE THE VIRGIN's Justin Baldoni. Prior to joining Wayfarer Studios, Calof served as Vice President of Creative Affairs at Amblin Partners. In his five years with the company he oversaw development and production of tentpole films such as OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY—directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck—starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, TJ Miller, and Olivia Munn, as well as GHOST IN THE SHELL, directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson. Prior to Amblin, Calof held the position of Vice President of Production at New Regency, where he oversaw the production of Academy Award-winning Best Pictures BIRDMAN, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE REVENANT. At Paramount, he worked on Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, World War Z, GI Joe: Retaliation, and RANGO. As well as, NOT FADE AWAY and HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS. In this episode, we talk about: • Working at Paramount on Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, World War Z, GI Joe: Retaliation, and RANGO • Discussing the particular brand and perspective of different production companies, comparing a New Regency film to a Paramount film to a Disney film to a Netflix film • How taking bold, calculated risks was integral in producing Oscar winning films at Regency such as BIRDMAN , 12 YEARS A SLAVE , and THE REVENANT specialty movie that’s very commercial • Best part about working with Amblin for one of his hero and Mentor, Steven Spielberg making films such as OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY , GHOST IN THE SHELL , and an upcoming Tom Hanks film • His role at Wayfarer, working with Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin), and having 30 projects on the slate Ethos of Wayfarer how can they make an impact on the world in a positive way, diverse and disruptive • How he works at maintaining the balance between the creative team and the executives on set • Being great at dailies and how he was able to get creative in presenting them • His favorite part about working in development and what that entails • Starting off as a PA on an Indie film and how he got his next role • His definition of success About the Guest: Linkedin Wayfarer Studios Website Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mento
S2 E15 · Mon, June 07, 2021
Becoming... 5x Emmy Winning Producer and Director Rob Burnett
ROB BURNETT is the writer/director of the feature film The Fundamentals of Caring , which was the closing night film at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. He is as a five-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and head writer of The Late Show with David Letterman . In the course of his career he has received 34 Emmy nominations . Burnett began his career with David Letterman in 1985 as a 22-year-old intern. In 1988 he joined the show’s writing staff, and at 29 became its head writer . In 1996 he became the show’s executive producer. Joining forces with former Late Show head writer Jon Beckerman, Burnett created two critically acclaimed series for network television. Ed aired on NBC from 2000-2004 and won Burnett and Beckerman a People’s Choice award and earned them Emmy and WGA nominations for excellence in writing . The two teamed up again in 2006 to create the ABC half-hour, single-camera comedy, The Knights of Prosperity , which garnered glowing reviews, including Entertainment Weekly calling it "TV's best new show of the season." In this episode, we talk about: • How a writing submission to the David Letterman show led to an Internship at 22 years old • Being hired by Steven Spielberg to write a movie in his 20s • His routine in his 20s - waking up at 5am, take the train to his friend to write for 2-3 hours, go to Letterman at 10am, be the last person to leave • Becoming Head Writer at 29 years old and what principle helped him in that tentative transition • What he thinks of Late Night shows right now in comparison to Late Night with David Letterman • 4 main pillars of Directing to keep in mind • Why he decided to pass over Timothee Chalamet for Craig Roberts in The Fundamentals of Caring • The incredible Paul Rudd and in what ways he added to the movie • How incredible it was to be a Writer/Director at Sundance Wikipedia IMDB Twitter Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a hre
S2 E14 · Mon, May 31, 2021
Becoming... Showrunner of Friends and Grace & Frankie Marta Kauffman
Marta Kauffman is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning television writer, producer, and showrunner behind the hit series Friends and Grace & Frankie . After graduating from Brandeis University, Kauffman got her big break alongside David Crane when their pilots Dream On (1990) and The Powers That Be (1992) were green-lit. The pair then launched Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions with Kevin Bright and became the trio that created the iconic sitcom Friends. In 2015, Kauffman started her production company, Okay Goodnight, with industry veterans Robbie Tollin and Hannah KS Canter. Their first series, Grace & Frankie, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston premiered on Netflix in 2015 and is Netflix’s longest-running original ever. The series has received multiple Emmy and SAG nominations and is beginning production on the seventh and final season. In 2018, the company produced the documentary Seeing Allred, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and is currently available on Netflix. Kauffman has received a number of honors and awards including the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in television writing from the Writers Guild of America, the 2016 Outstanding Television Writer award at the 23rd annual Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference, The Kieser Award at the 44th Annual Humanitas Awards, and Variety’s TV Producers Impact Report for consecutive years in 2019 and 2020. In this episode, we talk about: • Writing Musical Theater in NY with her writing partner and friend David Crane and making $18,000 a year, before moving to LA and working with Norman Lear • Behind the Scenes on the beginnings of Friends including why it was important for it to be an ensemble show and fighting for Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston • The number 1 thing she wants actors to know when they walk in for an audition • Why the time after Friends was a really hard period and how she pushed out of it • Her thoughts on the Reunion and why she could never do a reboot • The incredible story she hasn't able to sell (yet!) • The misunderstanding that led to the terrific pairing of Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda on Grace & Frankie • Was there Improv on Friends or is there improv on Grace & Frankie • Why she gets credited for every the theme song of Friends is played • Working with Netflix as opposed to a Network Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page:<a href="http
Bonus · Fri, May 28, 2021
Tips and Tricks from Entertainment Career Coach Carole Kirschner
Carole Kirschner is a sought after Entertainment Career Coach, mentoring Showrunners, TV Producers, Writers, Executives, and more. Carole was a senior level creative Television Executive, before becoming the Vice President of Steven Spielberg’s first Amblin Television. She also created the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring program and helped develop the curriculum for WGA Showrunner Training program. “Kirschner is one of the best at preparing people for success in the entertainment business.” — Barry Kotler, Agent, Creative Artists Agency In this episode, we talk about: • A breakdown of Carole’s Four Pillars of Success including how to answer “Tell Me About Yourself” (5:25) • How to give information to your Agent that allows them to sell you in only 4 sentences • Where to get a FREE 31 page ebook on how to develop your longline • The phrase that Carole suggests using to get a recommendation from someone in the industry • Tips to best pitch or sell original content for television • Tips for what to expect when you’re in the room with someone who can buy your work or represent you • What she thinks of TV Fellowships, which one she recommends, and how to set yourself apart • Tips for navigating the TV Writer’s room hierarchy • Why she believes spec scripts are still necessary • Why creative people need to learn how to promote themselves Carole Kirschner: Twitter Website Get Carole's book: The Hollywood Game Plan More info on Carole's Bootcamp Upcoming online seminar: Get the F*ck Unstuck. The course is three Saturdays: August 14, 21, 28, from 10:00am – 12:30pm (PDT), with a Bonus session on Sunday Aug 29th. https://www.carolekirschner.com/gtfu This episode is courtesy of Imagine This Productions, which is dedicated to providing womxn storytellers and filmmakers a platform to encourage and develop creative projects by womxn. With Imagine This Women's International Film Festival and Girl Power Film + Media Summit, Imagine This aims to amplify and empower independent and aspiring womxn filmmakers from around the world. This goal is to support womxn by sharing their work with the public, promoting equal opportunities for BIPOC womxn and the LGBTQIA+ community while providing educational support and professional development, and serving as a resource information network. Instagram for Imagine This Productions More information for Imagine This Productions Host:
S2 E13 · Mon, May 24, 2021
Becoming... Creative Director at Netflix's Strong Black Lead Kara Barnett
Kara Barnett is currently the Creative Director of Strong Black Lead at Netflix (Editorial & Publishing). She is a TEDx Talk speaker, a former Senior Producer and Writer of Branded Content at BET, and has over 10+ years in unscripted casting, development, brand/product integration, editing and more. She had her start as a Casting Associate Producer on America’s Next Top Model, before working different reality shows on Discovery, ITV, CBS, Viacom, OWN, A&E, and BET. In this episode, we talk about: • How she got her first job working for ANTM and why she calls the show "LA High School" • Her TEDx Talk on Imposter Syndrome including tips on how to combat it • Best tips and trick in navigating life of a freelance producer, working at Networks like BET, AMC, Discovery, ITV, CBS, Viacom, OWN, A&E • Tips for navigating promotions and salary negotiations • The hierarchy of unscripted production, specifically the difference between Story Producer, Field Producer and Senior Story Producer • The stability of her job at BET Digital as a Lead Editorial Producer and moving up to Senior Producer after only a few months, complete with backstage access, creating original content, and BET ON BLACK initiative • How she had to say no to multiple jobs before getting the right one at BET and who took a chance on her • Working on I’ll apologize Later weekly visual podcast with Mouse Jones at BET • How it is to be a Creative Manager at Netflix and the purpose of the Strong Black Lead sub brand • Working on independent projects such as Exposed: Vashtie Kola, and most recently, a documentary called High Risk , which explores the physical and emotional challenges that Black people face in the United States related to childbirth and racial bias LinkedIn Instagram IMDB High Risk Instagram Trailer for EXPOSED: Vashtie Kola Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user
S2 E12 · Mon, May 17, 2021
Becoming... Showrunner of the CW series Pandora Mark A. Altman
Mark A. Altman is a television and motion picture writer/producer/director who is currently the Showrunner/Executive Producer of the CW series, Pandora which is distributed by Sony Pictures Television worldwide and streams exclusively on Amazon Prime in the United States. Previously he served as Co-Executive Producer of The Librarians (TNT), Agent X (TNT), Castle (ABC), Necessary Roughness (USA) among others. In addition, Altman has sold numerous pilots and produced the $30 million film adaptation of the bestselling video game, DOA: Dead Or Alive, which was released by Dimension Films. His first motion picture was the award winning, Free Enterprise, starring William Shatner and Eric McCormack, which he wrote and produced and for which he won the WGA Award for Best New Writer at the AFI Los Angeles Film Festival prior to its theatrical release. In this episode, we talk about: • The terrific story about convincing William Shatner to be in his film and why he never recommends writing a film for an actor • How he got Eric McCormick to do his film just after he shot the Will & Grace pilot which hadn’t been picked up yet • Transitioning to the writers room of the TV show Castle and overlapping a year with our other Mentor, David Grae • What does it mean to write for a budget and why that’s every line producer’s dream • Having to choose between the final season of The Librarians and holding off on the possibility of doing his own show • The conception of his show Pandora on CW and creating an incredible sizzle reel and bible to pitch it • Making the choice to stop filming due to COVID • Advice to actors from a Showrunner Book Recommendations for Actors: Mike Nichols: A Life by Mark Harris 2 Books he Wrote: The 50 Year Mission: The Complete Uncensored History of Star Trek Secrets of the Force: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Wars IMDB Wikipedia Linkedin Twitter Instagram Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic
S2 E11 · Mon, May 10, 2021
Becoming... Television Writer and Award-Winning Filmmaker Felicia Pride
Felicia Pride is a writer and an award-winning filmmaker. She was a writer on Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” for two seasons and is currently a writer on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” She developed a drama pilot, a book adaptation, with NBCUniversal and sold a pilot to 20th Century FOX. She sold the erotic romance Deeper to Universal Pictures and is the co-writer and executive producer of the 2020 feature film Really Love, starring Kofi Siriboe alongside Naturi Naughton and Emmy-winner Uzo Aduba. More recently, Felicia is known for her directorial debut, tender . In 2020, tender screened at over 20+ film festivals including Reel Sistas, ABFF, Urbanworld, Frameline44, and the Seattle Black Film Festival where Pride won Best Director and won a Lionsgate / STARZ award at the BlackStar Film Festival. Pride eventually became an author herself in 2008, penning six books , including the young adult novel, PATTERSON HEIGHTS , recognized by the American Library Association. She was tapped by Simon & Schuster to pen two books in their EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS book series based on the hit show. In this episode, we talk about: • Working on my favorite show "Grey's Anatomy" after working on 2 seasons of "Queen Sugar," including how she started working on both and the transition from one to the other • Her thoughts on Fellowships and being a Screenwriting Fellow for Film Independent and an NBC Writer on the Verge with NBC Universal Media • Her directorial debut tender which screened at over 20+ film festivals and how she approached that particular film • Tips to maximize a film's release regarding the marketing, engagement and distribution of your Indie film that she learned as Director of Independent Films at Tugg Inc. • What Transmedia Storytelling is and how it has influenced her storytelling today • Writing for VIBE, The Root, Baltimore Sun, and other publications and then becoming a published author in 2008 with 6 books including the YA Novel “Patterson Heights” while working series of jobs as Production Coordinator, Writer, and Producer at various places including Washington Jewish Film Festival, Participant Media, and Twin Cities Public Television. Wikipedia Website Twitter IMDB Instagram
S2 E10 · Mon, May 03, 2021
Becoming... Grammy winning Producer Sandy Vee
Sandy Vee is a Grammy winning French Producer, selling over 120 million singles and records worldwide. He won a Grammy for Rihanna’s first single “Only Girl (In the World)," which debuted at #1 on the top of the U.S.A. Digital Song chart and Billboard Hot 100. I t marked the latest career plateau for French producer/songwriter Sandy Vee’s meteoric rise to the top of the pop charts. The song has gone on to hit #1 all over the world as well as reaching gold status in Belgium and Platinum in the (4x) Australia, UK, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, (2x) Sweden, (2x) Switzerland. He was also nominated for Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream for Album of the Year. In 2011, he was #6 on MusicWeek's Top 40 Songwriters of Quarter 1 In this episode, we talk about: • Working with David Guetta on his album One Love • Co-produced Rihanna’s “Only Girl in the World” and Katy Perry’s “Firework” • Winning a Grammy for Best Dance Recording at the 2011 Grammy Awards for Only Girl in the World and being nominated for Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream for Album of the Year. • Working with will.i.am ("On the Dancefloor") Akon ("Sexy Chick"), Katy Perry, Sean Kingston, Ne-Yo ("Beautiful Monster"), Britney Spears ("Selfish") with production credits for records with Taio Cruz, Pitbull, Selena Gomez… • Tips for Songwriters and Producers • Dealing with the panic attacks after all of his success and what measures he took to change his life • How long it takes him to make a hit song Wikipedia Twitter Facebook Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E9 · Mon, April 26, 2021
Becoming... Producer of South by Southwest Critic's Pick and Director Winter Dunn
Winter Dunn is an award winning producer, director and actress. She produced Numa Perrier’s debut feature film, JEZEBEL which premiered at SXSW 2019 and was awarded Best Narrative Feature at the American Black Film Festival that same year. JEZEBEL has been acquired by Ava DuVernay and is currently streaming on Netflix. Previously, Winter served as a producer / director for media maven Condé Nast Entertainment. Her celebrity video features for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Architectural Digest, GQ, Allure and other media brands have garnered over 60 million views and counting. Most recently, Dunn directed season one of SoulPancake, Overbrook and 206 Productions’ upcoming docuseries, “All Her with Angela Rye'' for Quibi. Check out Winter Dunn Productions’ debut film, JUNEBUG, which premiered at the 2020 American Black Film Festival, streaming on FoxSoul and Tubi. She is a 2021 Project Involve Directing Fellow with Film Independent. In this episode we talk about: • Landing her first PA gig for a Black independent production company • The making of Jezebel from concept and production, to post and delivery • Manifesting Netflix and SXSW for Jezebel, including what it was like when Ava Duvernay's distribution company ARRAY acquired the film in January 2020 and released it on Netflix. • Going to SXSW and how the Jezebel team set themselves apart to sold out theaters • Learning how to be a producer • Working at Conde Nast and understanding how to execute specific brand voices (including her work with Kim and Kanye (Architectural Digest), Billie Eillish (Vanity Fair's: Same Interview, The Third Year), and more. • How creating web series content evolved into creating longer form series and features • Authentic portrayals of POC and the importance of telling Black stories by Black voices • Her thoughts on being a Directing Fellow with Film Independent IMDB Website Instagram Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E8 · Mon, April 19, 2021
Becoming... Music Executive, Entrepreneur & Manager of Legends Bob Ellis
Bob Ellis is an American music executive and manager who has worked with musicians including Billy Preston, Chaka Khan, Meat Loaf, Rufus, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and many others. Bob joins the show to spill about the music industry and how social media has impacted the industry and music quality. Stay tuned in to hear the crazy story of how Bob and Michelle met! In this episode, we talk about: • Meeting and representing Billy Preston while working at a PR agency • The story behind Rufus and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good” • Opening Woody’s club that gave a stage to Spin Doctor, Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other timeless artists in their early days • The evolution of music and how technology and Tik Tok has changed tour life and the music industry • Producing Chef Roblé and other shows • Being in the right place at the right time • How to manage different talent personalities Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ellis_Silberstein Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E7 · Mon, April 12, 2021
Becoming... VP at Disney Television Animation of Current Series & Diversity Jay Francis
Jay Francis is the Vice President of Current Series and Diversity and Inclusion at Disney Television Animation. He has over 15 years’ experience in managing the creative direction of series’ production, and has worked on award winning shows including Phineas and Ferb, Big City Greens, and Amphibia. Jay plays an important role in driving the push for more authentic storytelling that represents the world in which we live. In this episode we talk about: • The key to a great pitch • Transitioning from independent animation production to recruitment for primetime animation television • How accessible a career in animation can be • Working for Disney and how the company has embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in development • His first internship at a local ABC affiliate in Boston • His first animation internship at DIC Entertainment • Leaving his job to launch Little Gangster Entertainment • Animation networking opportunities for VO Actors, Animators and more • Finding a lucrative kickstart creating video games using what he learned from animation • The importance of diverse and authentic storytelling through animation Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-francis-81a3002 Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E6 · Mon, April 05, 2021
Becoming... Casting Director for Chicago Fire, Med, and PD Jenny Ravitz
Jenny Ravitz is a NYC-based casting director at Jonathan Strauss Casting. She is currently casting shows including NBC's hit shows Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med. She has years of knowledge of the casting industry after working at some of the top casting offices in New York City. Jenny is here to share her journey and provide an inside look at what it is like to help create a Chicago universe that reaches over 8 million home viewers per episode. In this episode, we talk about: • Finding her passion as a Casting Director through working as an Assistant Director • Working 80 hours a week while interning at Telsey + Company and Cindy Tolan casting offices and bartending at a local sports bar • The movie that connected Jenny and Michelle for the first time • The important role of identity, visibility, and authentic representation in casting • An inside look at how Jenny reviews auditions, makes selects, and presents an offer • How agent pitches can help or hurt an actor (and if she reads all of them!) • The benefit of self tapes over actor reels • Whether she likes slate shots • The national reach of the shows she casts IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5989503/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennyravitzcasting If you like this episode, check out Episode 2.2 to hear about Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Schubert (The Departed, Marvel shows on Netflix, Devil Wears Prada, etc) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E5 · Mon, March 29, 2021
Becoming... Billboard charting vocalist, Actor and Viral sensation Chris Mann
Chris Mann is a vocalist, musician, and actor who has performed as the lead in just under 700 shows of “The Phantom of the Opera” during his first major acting debut. He got fourth place on The Voice in 2012 and has continued to soar through the music industry with Billboard charting releases of his studio albums Roads, Constellation, and his most recent release, Noise . Chris joins the show to share how he has achieved his success despite facing devastating setbacks along the way. In this episode we talk about: Signing his first ever record deal with Sony Music Group His first session job on Glee His experience on The Voice, what happens behind the scenes, and singing with Christina Aguilera Creating his viral parody music video “My Corona” which has tracked over 14 million views and inspired a host of quarantine themed music videos Classical church singing and earning his degree in Opera The process of recording sessions Recording Disney soundtracks and hearing himself in amusement parks and grocery stores The point when he contemplated giving up on pursuing a solo career If you like this episode, check out Episode 2.1 to hear about Emmy nominated Musician and Composer Beau Black (Disney's The Lion Guard, The Mickey Show, etc) Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Mann_(singer) IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4985711/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3 Website: https://chrismannmusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialchrismann/?hl=en Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E4 · Mon, March 22, 2021
Becoming... Producer and Award Winning Creative Director Jill Hoppenheim
Jill Hoppenheim is the owner and creative director at Bagg Street Productions, an award winning creative content agency known for creating captivating marketing campaigns, branded content, and scripted series for TV/Film including 24, Homeland, The Handmaid’s Tale, Glow, Family Guy and more. Jill has over ten year’s experience in entertainment marketing and breaks down her track to success. In this episode we talk about: Her move from Montreal, Canada to Los Angeles while still on her student visa The job which introduced her to Entertainment Marketing The launch and inspiration behind Bagg Street Productions Getting her MFA in Documentary and production The process behind beginning to create original scripted content Jill’s top tip for anyone starting out as a content producer Her favorite kind of stories to tell Her mentor and inspiration If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.14 to hear about Award Winning Producer Damon Lee. Resources: Website: https://www.baggstreet.com/ Imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1673836/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-hoppenheim/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baggstreet/ Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle 13:57 starting a company is like a newborn you couldn’t take your eyes off of it 37:45 2 things that she learned and reminded and kept with her 38:38 your greatest thing as a producer to have is material. you have to love it 41:20 - be creative in pitching and getting meetings
S2 E3 · Mon, March 15, 2021
Becoming... Actor and Director Ben Giroux (with 4.5 million Tik Tok followers)
Ben Giroux is an Actor, Director, and Producer best known for his role as The Toddler on Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger and Danger Force. He is also known for voicing Mikey Munroe in the animated series Bunsen is a Beast on Nickelodeon. His other TV credits include Psych, NCIS, Bones, Sam & Cat, Hart of Dixie, FML, and The Big Show Show. His success carries off screen where he has amassed over 4.5 million followers on TikTok and over 100k on Instagram. In this episode we talk about: How he traveled across the country in the final months of his enrollment at the University of Southern California to audition for a Farrelly Brothers pilot on Fox. Being one half of a comedy hip-hop duo and creating a viral music video that landed him on the Billboard Top 100 charts Performing with the Backstreet Boys and other celebrities How TikTok has impacted his acting and creativity His transition from actor to director and how he believes the way he runs his sets has contributed to his success Becoming a writer and pitching projects in the industry Resources: Website: https://bengiroux.com/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Giroux IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1575638/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bengiroux/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bengirouxtv?lang=en Message Ben on Instagram to ask about his rates for Voiceover Coaching. Learn from the best! If you like this episode, check out Episode 2.1 to hear Beau Black's story, Emmy nominated Musician, Producer, VO Actor, and voice behind many Disney shows. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S2 E2 · Mon, March 08, 2021
Becoming... Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Schubert "Luke Cage," "Manifest," "House of Cards," "The Departed," "The Devil Wears Prada"
Julie Schubert is an Emmy award-winning Casting Director. She has brought some of the best actors to beloved movies and shows. Some of her most notable credits include House of Cards, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Manifest, The Departed, The Devil Wears Prada, 50 Shades Darker, 50 Shades Freed and more. Julie has climbed the ladder from intern to director and is joining us to spill some of her secrets to success. In this episode we talk about: How working at her family restaurant business led her to a career in entertainment What it means to be a casting director and what to look for in an actor Earning her first casting director credit The moment she won her first Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Casting The “local hire” conundrum Tips on how to shoot a self tape audition How to become a casting director and where to find casting training programs Resources: IMDB Emmy Awards and Nominations If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.12 to hear about Casting Director Kim Graham (who cast me in SHOWTIME's Homeland) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page Website Youtube
S2 E1 · Mon, March 01, 2021
Becoming... Emmy nominated Composer/Musician Beau Black
Beau Black is currently writing music for 3 shows and 2 TV Features for Disney. He is an Emmy nominated composer, songwriter, musician, voice actor, and producer. In this episode, we talk about: • Being nominated for a 2017 Daytime Emmy Creative Arts Award for composing the song “Sisi Ni Sawa” from The Lion Guard • Writing music for Commercials including m Commercials such as Aveeno (with Jennifer Aniston), Sally Hansen, HP, Google Play, Mercedes, Target, Samsung, McDonalds, Wendy’s • Working on music for Miles from Tomorrowland (opening song), Penn Zero: Part time Hero (composed with Ryan Shore), The Lion Guard —> went to Number 2 on Billboard’s Top Soundtrack Albums chart, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, The Rocketeer (2019 TV Series) 11 episodes, Mickey Mouse Mixed Up Adventures, Jake and the Neverending Pirates • Composing 93 songs for Disney's The Lion Guard • Music Video for theme song for The Lion Guard with over 9 million views • First album "Meant to Be" • Singing on stage for thousands as a kid with his Dad, Jay Black from Jay and the Americans (responsible for "This Magic Moment" and "Cara Mia") Resources: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Black IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6872541/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/beaublack5 Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQt9M4E4nXA Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Thu, February 25, 2021
The Importance of Mastermind Groups
In Napolean Hill's book Think and Grow Rich , he describes Mastermind Groups as: “A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.” Mastermind Groups are a valuable form of peer-to-peer mentorship, uniting you with your colleagues in an effort to grow and build your business. What better way to share the importance of Mastermind Groups than by sharing with you a discussion with my own? Twice a month, I get together with 4 intelligent, savvy, badass female podcast hosts: Abby Zufelt is a digital marketing and social media strategist. She is also the Host of Working Girl Talk podcast. Anna Keenan is the Regional Marketing and Philanthropic Manager at Kendra Scott and Host of the Self Made Sister Podcast. Christine O' Donnell is an Emmy Nominated Journalist, Founder of Bright Sighted Podcasting , and Host of the Podcast Coaching with Christine podcast. Megan Accardo is a former CAA Executive turned Business Coach and Host of Power Your Purpose podcast. In this episode, we talk about: • The importance of Mastermind Groups • Creative Marketing Tips to build audience for Podcasts: Pinterest, Tik Toks, Clubhouse • Acquiring Interns for our Business • My awesome Clubhouse story • Clubhouse Best Practices • How to grow your brand by leveraging your expertise • Naming your podcasts • Finding the Best Guests and what do you look for ( How to Book yourself on Podcasts ) • Being a Speaker at various Podcasting Events like Podcast Movement Michelle was a Guest on Megan's Podcast recently! Network Like a Pro: Make Connections & Move your Career Forward with Michelle Miller Anna Keenan's Instagram Megan Accardo's Instagram Abby Zufelt's Instagram Christine O'Donnell's Instagram If yo
Bonus · Thu, January 14, 2021
4 Tips on How to get a Mentor
This episode was recorded LIVE on Facebook. In this episode, we talk about: • 4 Tips on How to get a Mentor • How to cultivate a relationship with a Mentor over time Episodes Referenced: Episode 1 - Stan Brooks - From the Mailroom to Hollywood Producer & Director Episode 21 - Linda Mendoza - From page to Comedy TV/Film Director of Scrubs, The Good Place, Blackish, and more If you like this episode, check out Bonus Episode 4 on The Importance of a Mastermind Group Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Mon, December 28, 2020
How to become a DIRECTOR (and other lessons from Season 1 Directors)
Here is a Highlight Reel with advice from top DIRECTORS of Season 1 including Stan Brooks, Kristin Hanggi, Linda Mendoza, and Jason Ensler. In this episode, we talk about: • How one future Director stood out working in the Mailroom • How one Director made the jump into Narrative Television • How to transition from Producer to Director • Are you waiting for permission to Create? How one director realized that she could just do it • Using the available resources around you to create your work • What you need to sacrifice for your career • What Quincy Jones told one Director that might help you Episode 1 - Stan Brooks - From the Mailroom to Hollywood Producer & Director Episode 21 - Linda Mendoza - From page to Comedy TV/Film Director of Scrubs, The Good Place, Blackish, and more Episode 9 - Kristin Hanggi - From playing pretend to Film, TV, & Tony Nominated Director of Rock of Ages Episode 16 - Jason Ensler - From PSAs to Executive Producer/Director of HULU's "Love Victor" and other Top TV shows Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Bonus · Mon, December 14, 2020
Get to know your Host Michelle Miller
People kept asking for more information on me (thanks guys!). Since I can't interview myself, I asked my good friends of the popular Voices of Misery podcast if I could use some of their interview for a Bonus Episode. In this episode, we talk about: • How I started acting and my first outside school gigs on The Rosie O' Donnell show and the Off Broadway play "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" • Best advice for any actor • How I booked a Hand Modeling campaign for Samsung • Dealing with nerves in the audition room • Being cancelled from TV shows like HBOs "Crashing" and "The Night Of" • Being cut from Winter’s Tale • What’s my fallback and how I look at that question Full Episode of the Voices of Misery interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nerd-new-friend-actress-michelle-simone-miller-shoot/id1445643241?i=1000490639287 Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E21 · Mon, December 07, 2020
Linda Mendoza - From page to Comedy TV/Film Director of Scrubs, The Good Place, and more
Linda Mendoza is an Emmy nominated, Comedy Director Extraordinaire. Her credits are extensive, directing episodes of Scrubs, Gilmore Girls, The Mindy Project, The Good Place, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ugly Betty, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Grownish, The Chris Rock Show, Girlfriends, The Bernie Mac Show, The Tick, Liv & Maddie, 30 Rock, and many, many more. She has also been the go to Director for many Comedy specials including Tiffany Haddish (Black Mitzvah and 6 episodes of They Ready), Katherine Ryan, Wanda Sykes, Jamie Fox's Laffapalooza, Caroline Rhea, and various Mark Twain Prize specials (Ellen Degeneres, David Letterman, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Bill Cosby, Carl Reiner, and George Carlin). She has been nominated for 2 DGA Awards, a Primetime Emmy, a NAACP Award, and an ALMA Award (which she won). In this episode, we talk about: • Why she gave up $8k a month to work on SNL • How Bernie Mac helped her transition into Narrative • Her new TV Special, Yearly Departed, starring Tiffany Haddish, Sarah Silverman, Rachel Brosnahan, Natasha Leggero (Hosted by Phoebe Robinson) Comedy special features eulogies for the year 2020 with a line-up of all-women comedians discussing everything from casual sex to beige Band-Aids and everything in between that we've "lost" in 2020. - Premiering on Amazon Prime Video on December 30th, 2020 • Her first directing experience • Her Comedy special 'pet peeves' • Often being told that she was the first female director that a show has ever had • Her Mentors, including Bruce Gowers (famous for Bohemian Rhapsody Music video) • BTS on various Mark Twain Specials and Comedy Specials • What makes her the best at what she does • How a Mexican girl from Detroit, who everyone thought was Chinese, made it as a TV director Resources: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Mendoza IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0579318/ Yearly Departed: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13321268/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adetroitmendoza/?hl=en Recommendation: If you like this Episode, check out Episode 1.17 to TV Director Jason Ensler (currently directing HULU's Love, Victor). Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E20 · Mon, November 30, 2020
Scott Feinberg - From Oscars blogger to The Hollywood Reporter Awards Columnist & Host
Scott Feinberg is an Awards Columnist for The Hollywood Reporter. He is also the Host of the incredibly popular podcast "Awards Chatter," where he has interviewed over 350 incredible guests including Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Oprah, and Denzel Washington. He is considered by many as an Oscar Oracle, helping many people (including myself) win their Oscar pools. Having previously created one of the first successful Oscar blogs called "And the Winner is..." he was hired to create something similar out of college for the LA Times. In this episode, we talk about: • Some tips and tactics to predicting the Oscar winners every year • The Jennifer Lawrence episode (one of my favorites) and how the emotionality of that interview developed • The evolution of Awards Chatter podcast into an expose of the body of work of the guest • How his love for films and the Awards shows turned into a job • How Oscar campaigns are similar to elections • Why there is a human factor into picking winners • What's strategic about the way he starts his interviews/episodes • How he started his website prior to The Hollywood Reporter and had studios buy ads • Sneak peek of a new episode with Sophia Loren • How he does all of the research for a guest himself and why that's so important to him • How he profiles anonymous Academy members Resources: Feinberg Forecast: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/topic/award-predictions-feinberg-forecast Awards Chatter podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/awards-chatter/id1039032256 Jennifer Lawrence episode: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/awards-chatter-podcast-jennifer-lawrence-mother-1059777 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scott_feinberg/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-feinberg-a3517012 Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottfeinberg IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8901539/ If you like this Episode, check out Episode 1.19 to listen to E! Correspondent and Host of Rotten Tomatoes Naz Perez. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E19 · Mon, November 23, 2020
Naz Perez - From The Ellen Show to E! Correspondent and Rotten Tomatoes and Dodgers TV Host
Naz Perez is a TV Producer, Host & Podcaster. She is a true Renaissance Woman, juggling hosting responsibilities at Rotten Tomatoes, Dodger Stadium, E! Daily/Nightly Pop, T-Mobile, and the 'I don't get it' podcast. She is currently working her dream job at Rotten Tomatoes, hosting the tri-weekly show "The Ketchup," covering Movies and Television, and the weekly show "Binge Guide" covering what to watch next. After starting out at The Ellen Show and on E! True Hollywood story, she produced 5 seasons of The Bachelor. Forbes (Jun 15 2020) - “Essentially, you create your dream job by making the work that you’re doing valuable to you and by seeking opportunities that fall in line with who you are deep down.” In this episode, we talk about: • Whether she enjoyed working at The Ellen Show • Being a Stadium Host for Dodger stadium (50,000 people) • Naz produced 5 seasons of ABC’s The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise and 2 Seasons of Freeform’s Happily Ever After: Ben & Lauren, & The Twins. • Overcoming her perfectionist tendencies and creating her own work • The origin story of her podcast 'I don't get it' with The Bachelor's Ashley and Lauren Iaconetti • How she got her Dream job interviewing celebrities at Rotten Tomatoes • Why she founded Heart Broken Anonymous, the support group for people that are heart broken • The social experiment that is the Bachelor and what she liked and disliked working there • Lugged around the phantom camera battery for the NBA organization • Living in a kids toy room while she worked at Ellen • Creating the Athletic fashion blog for Style • Leaving Ellen for a 3 month gig at E! Resources: Website: https://nazperez.com/ I don't Get it podcast: https://idontgetit.libsyn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nazperez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naz-perez-b7162b35/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nazperezz?lang=en IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6265821/ Rotten Tomatoes segment "The Ketchup": https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=GLzxDZpUh-8 Recent Forbes Interview: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebekahbastian/2020/06/15/trailblazers-naz-pereztv-host-producer-podcaster-and-founder-of-heartbroken-anonymous/?sh=72fe76092b9d Recommendation: If you like this Episode, check out Episode 1.20 to listen to Hollywood Reporter columnist and Awards Chatter podcast Host Scott Feinberg. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E18 · Mon, November 16, 2020
David Grae - From Spec Scripts to Executive Producer of Madam Secretary
David Grae is a Writer and Executive Producer of Television. He's written for Joan of Arcadia, Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls, Castle, and Madam Secretary. At the latter, he moved up to Executive Producer of the 6 season show. He was second in command to Creator and Show runner, Barbara Hall. He started off writing spec scripts and directing his Off-Off-Off Broadway play 'Moose Mating' in NYC, before directing the play in LA. He invested $25k of his own money to put up the production, an investment that paid off. In this episode, we talk about: • Meeting his Best Friend and Mentor in the business, Barbara Hall • Investing $25k of his own money of his play 'Moose Mating' in LA • Advice for writers on how to approach meetings for Television • #1 thing he wants from writers in his writer's room • Working on the final season of Gilmore Girls without Amy Sherman Palladino • Why he really came into his own as a writer on Castle • What are his greatest strengths as EP • How was it casting Madam Secretary where there are such diverse languages and ethnicities represented • How do you move up in the writers room (contribute more, leader in the room) • What does he think of casting Actors with little to no credits • How aware did he have to be of ratings on a Network show • How much preparation goes into a meeting for an already established show Resources: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1205551/ Great Interview with David Grae: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/author-q-a/david-grae Recommendation: If you like this Episode, check out Episode 1.11 with TV Writer Matt Witten (Pretty Little Liars, Medium, House, Law & Order) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E17 · Mon, November 09, 2020
Erika Karnell - From PR Temp to Legit Agent at BRS/GAGE Talent Agency
Erika Karnell is an Agent with BRS/GAGE Talent Agency, representing actors in TV, Film, and Theater. BRS/GAGE clients include Series Regulars and recurring actors on Station 19, Claws, and Madam Secretary, as well as Guest Stars on NCIS: New Orleans, Elementary, Gotham, and Mr. Robot. BRS/GAGE Talent agency clients have appeared in almost every Broadway musical, including The Lion King, Aladdin, Hamilton, Come From Away, Moulin Rouge, and Waitress. In this episode, we talk about: • Why she knew instantly that she wanted to work for The Gage group • What's a "medium sized" Talent Agency and why BRS/GAGE Talent operates like a boutique agency • What it means to operate with a "Team approach" as opposed to a "Point person approach" • What's her pitch strategy to Casting Directors • How to climb up the ladder in an Agency • What are the type of clients that should reach out to BRS/GAGE Talent? How does she meet her client? • Working with developmental actors (And what that means) • Why she loves teaching actors • Does she like when actors write to her about roles • Why it's not a good idea for actors to go to LA for pilot season • How she started at The National Association of Talent Representatives Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-karnell-3140863 Recommendation: If you like this Episode, check out Episode 1.13 with Talent Agent at Buchwald agency Jonathan Mason Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E16 · Mon, November 02, 2020
Jason Ensler - From PSAs to Executive Producer/Director of HULU's "Love, Victor"
Jason Ensler is an Executive Producer and Director of some of your favorite TV shows. After graduating USC with an MFA in Cinema/Television production, Jason directed PSAs for a friend's marketing company and his alma mater, Brandeis University. That led to being part of a creative team at NBC 2000, promoting campaigns for NBC shows like The West Wing, Scrubs, Frasier, The Olympics and The NBA. Eventually, he started directing and producing shows such as The West Wing , The Newsroom , Scrubs , Gossip Girl , Franklin & Bash , The Passage , The Exorcist , Brooklyn Nine-Nine , Red Band Society , and most recently, Love, Victor on HULU (to name a few). In this episode, we talk about: • Getting to work with Aaron Sorkin on The Newsroom and getting him to sing "The Surrey with the fringe on Top" (musical theater) a cappella • How it is to direct Hulu’s Love, Victor in the midst of the pandemic • What a Tone Meeting is and why it's important before filming a TV show • What he likes about doing pilots vs an already established episodic • The difference between working on Streaming vs network show • A seminal meeting with Director Chuck Russell that changed his path (directed The Mask , Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3 , The Blob , Eraser , T he Scorpion King ) • How difficult was it to go from directing light comedies to dramas • Is it important to leave the bubble of Hollywood as a filmmaker • What he's looking forward to in his career Episodes mentioned: Episode 1 - Stan Brooks https://kite.link/stan Resources: Website: https://jasonenslerfilm.com/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Ensler IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258128/ Mockumentary for NBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPP_Fpsi_LU Twitter: @Jason_Ensler Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.21 with TV Director Linda Mendoza (The Good Place, Scrubs, Black-ish, Yearly Departed). Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E15 · Mon, October 26, 2020
Elizabeth Van Metre - From In Touch Weekly Intern to Reporter/Fill-In Anchor on Channel 13
Elizabeth Van Metre is currently an Alert Desk Anchor/Reporter/Fill-In Anchor on Channel 13. Upon graduating college, she got an editorial internship at a Tabloid, researching storylines, collecting information, attending red carpets, and transcribing interviews. She was offered a full time reporting job shortly after. Subsequently, she worked at The New York Daily News and Entertainment Tonight, before getting her Master in Journalism at Columbia University. She has spent the last 3.5 years working in front of the camera in News. She produced and anchored the daily morning show "Today in Wyoming," before moving to her current role in Missouri. In this episode, we talk about: • In Tabloids, who are these so called 'sources' and why Tabloids can't completely make up stories (though maybe the sources can) • Do the Kardashians call in the Tabloids? • "The Amanda Bynes Story" or where Elizabeth draws the line • How she grew her >52K Tik Tok following • Great advice for people wanting to get into Entertainment, including if you haven’t seen the job you want listed • What these sources often get in return for their stories • What happens when a tabloid calls a PR team with a story? • What sort of photo do the paparazzi and tabloids hope to get • Why it’s important that your PR team thinks you are their number 1 priority • After a Tik Tok blew up, a celebrity's team contacted her directly • Why Paris Hilton commented on her Tik Tok story • Why Elizabeth gave up Entertainment reporting for a career in News outside of NYC • Whether she ever hopes to come back to NYC for her career • Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-vanmetre-93958327/ Tik Tok: @ElizabethVanMetre Instagram: @Elizabethrosevm Website: https://www.liketoknow.it/ElizabethRoseVM Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.20 with Hollywood Reporter columnist Scott Feinberg (and Host of Awards Chatter podcast) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E14 · Mon, October 19, 2020
Damon Lee - From unpaid assistant to Award Winning Producer & CEO of Deacon Media
Damon Lee is an Award-winning Producer and CEO of Deacon Media. Not only has he been the Executive Producer for two of the top five grossing African American themed films of the past decade, but he is responsible for the first and only cross-over from animated web series to live action feature film. His projects have included Beyonce, Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, Issa Rae, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Loretta Devine, Chris Brown, Regina King, and more. He won an NAACP award for Outstanding Television Movie, Sins of the Mother , the second most watched original film in Lifetime's history. In this episode, we talk about: • How he got his first job working for John Singleton, Director of Boyz in the Hood, Higher Learning, Poetic Justice, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Four Brothers • Vice President of Production for Hollywood legend Joel Silver, Producer of The Matrix and Conspiracy Theory • Becoming Vice President of Production at MGM after only 5 years of being in LA • Fighting for his credit on Obsessed (starring Beyonce and Idris Elba) • Diversity in Hollywood, pushing for people of color in front of and behind the camera • Being Executive VP at Urban Entertainment and developing the animated web series Undercover Brother, grossing $100,000,000. • Joel Silver and Amy Pascal fighting over him • How he used to believe he had to 'Minimize self to Maximize opportunity' • Getting an NAACP award for Sins of the Mother • Executive producing 'This Christmas' starring Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Chris Brown, Regina King, and Meki Pfiefer. • Being an Executive Producer on Lifetime's 'Taken From Me,' garnering an Emmy nomination for lead actress performance by Taraji P. Henson • Micro aggressions in Hollywood - defining the line that no one can cross • Incredible story about how he was able to go to the Peter Stark Producing program • Connection with Episode 1 Mentor, Stan Brooks - https://kite.link/stan Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-damon-lee-/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0497083/ Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.1 with Emmy winning Producer and Director Stan Brooks. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E13 · Mon, October 12, 2020
Jonathan Mason - From News Assistant to Legit Agent at Don Buchwald & Associates
Jonathan Mason is a Theatrical or legit agent at Don Buchwald & Associates in NY (film, TV, and theater). In addition to celebrity clients, he also represents actors in some of your favorite television shows, streaming shows, and films. Buchwald is a top tier bi coastal agency with name recognition, offering representation in commercial, print, digital, branded lifestyle, film, TV, theater, literary, social media influencers, and voiceover. In this episode, we talk about: • The incredible journey Jonathan took to get to Buchwald, including working as a PA, Background Artist, Assistant at Channel 5 News, Finance, and Casting • Why our previous Mentor, Kim Graham, is an integral part of his story • Working at Channel 5 News during the OJ Simpson Trial • Tips from Don Lemon in the 90s • Rising from Intern to Agent in 2 years • Why he was considered "too old" to work as a Casting Assistant or an Agent's Assistant and how he pushed his way through • Starting in your 30s in a new position in Entertainment and how to pivot • How Buchwald currently submits actors on their roster • How and when he pitches his actors • The biggest lesson I learned from Jon which got me paid • What he looks for in actors who come in (What CDs does he know, footage, cd recommendations) • What’s he's seeing now and where he’s seeing production pick up Resources: Twitter: https://twitter.com/agentdbamason?lang=en Buchwald Website: https://www.buchwald.com/ Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.12 with Casting Associate of Homeland, Kim Graham. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E12 · Mon, October 05, 2020
Kim Graham - From Opera Singer to Casting Associate for SHOWTIME's Homeland
Kim Graham has been the Associate Casting Director for the Emmy award winning casting office of Judy Henderson Casting since 2003. She casts for Film, TV, Commercials, Theater, and more. Most notably, Kim cast all seasons of Showtime's critically acclaimed, award-winning Homeland, starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin. She has also been an independent Casting Director on numerous projects. In this episode, we talk about: • How she toured opera as a competitive singer and why she quit • Her journey from casting intern to associate • Being introduced to one of her icons, Julie Andrews • What she pulled from her waitressing experiences to casting projects • What it was like to cast Homeland with actors from all over the world • Casting me in Homeland and why my episode's storyline was so memorable • Great advice for actors including how to approach auditions, how to approach Co-stars vs bigger roles, advice on how to slate and more • What advice she would tell her younger self about auditioning • Answers some of your questions posted on Social Media including: What's the best way for a post grad to get out there? What agents does she usually see actors from? What are bad habits of actors she most commonly sees at auditions? Resources: Website: https://www.kimberlygraham.net/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-graham-6953697/ Condensed On Camera Intensive class: https://www.kimberlygraham.net/events/condensed-on-camera-intensive Contact Kim for additional info on classes: https://www.kimberlygraham.net/ Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.13 with Talent Agent Jon Mason at Buchwald Agency. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E11 · Mon, September 28, 2020
Matt Witten - From writing poems to Playwright, Novelist and Television Writer
Matt Witten is a Playwright, Novelist, TV writer, and Teacher. He started writing plays, with The Deal winning a Clauder Playwriting Competition in 1989. He's written four novels starring amateur sleuth Jacob Berns, include Breakfast at Madeline's, Grand Delusion, Strange Bedfellows, and The Killing Bee. His next book, The Necklace is coming out next year with his book already optioned by a huge production company. He's written for a long list of Television shows, including Law & Order, House, Medium, Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, CSI Miami, Women's Murder Club, JAG, and more. In this episode, we talk about: • How he got his first literary and TV agent, with substantive tips for unrepresented writers • A trick that helped him in his pitch meeting for Law & Order • How a writer's room works for a Television show and the importance of a RBI • Hierarchy of a writer's room • Whether actors inspire writers and whether writers write with an actor (or someone) in mind • How he went from tv show to tv show and what the hardest part of his tv career was • What he liked about writing for Pretty Little Liars and why it was different than writing for other shows • Some advice for actors, including what he looks for in casting the roles he writes for (what stands out) • His new book The Necklace coming out next year and what big production company has already optioned the movie rights Check out our Facebook page for more of Matt's episode! He answers the questions: 1. What are his thoughts on TV writing Fellowships and Festivals? 2. When writing a script, do you go with your gut or what you think people want to hear? 3. How do you approach writing for women? Resources: Website: https://mattwittenwriter.com/ Wikipedia for Matt Witten: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Witten Books: https://www.amazon.com/Matt-Witten/e/B00AG1DXKW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0936976/ Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.18 with Executive Producer and TV Writer David Grae (Madam Secretary, Joan of Arcadia, Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E10 · Mon, September 21, 2020
Ron West - From the Mailroom at ICM to Hollywood Manager and Producer
Ron West is a co-founder and principal of Thruline Entertainment, a prominent Management and Production company. Thruline manages incredible actors and writers including Oscar Winner Alison Janney, Eric Stonestreet, Michael Cera, Sarah Silverman, Rob Estes, Lindsay Sloane, Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids), six time Emmy award winner Barry Julien, director Zak Hilditch (1922), and more. Many Thruline clients have been honored with nominations and wins at the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, the Emmy Awards, Tonys, Writers/Directors/Screen Actors Guild Awards, and The Grammys, to name a few. As a production company, Thruline produced 'The Great' on Hulu (Starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult), Steven Soderbergh's new Quibi show 'Wireless,' the hit USA dramedy 'Psych,' to name a few. In this episode, we talk about: • Starting in the Mailroom at ICM Agency, including driving around a young Natalie Portman and her mother to different Studios • Becoming an agent after only 1 year and 9 months, followed by VP, Head of Television Talent at ICM (youngest Agency dept head) • Why he decided to create Thruline Entertainment with his partners • What makes a good Agent, why he was good at it, and why he likes being a Manager instead • Why he decided to create Thruline Entertainment with his partnerss being a Manager instead • How much, on average, he devotes to management, administrative, development and reading scripts • How he decides what productions and scripts to work on • How he stood out at ICM • What makes him different as a Manager and then how he attracts the sort of clients that he wants Resources: Website: https://thruline.com/ Trailer for 'The Great' on Hulu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJGedvRfHYg Trailer for 'Wireless' on Quibi: https://www.looper.com/243703/wireless-trailer-teases-steven-soderberghs-quibi-thriller/ IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1930137/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1 Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.1 with Emmy winning Producer and Director Stan Brooks. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E9 · Mon, September 14, 2020
Kristin Hanggi - From playing pretend to Film, TV, & Tony Nominated Director of Rock of Ages
Kristin Hanggi is a Theater, Television, and Film Director, as well as a Writer, Teacher, and poet. She is well known for directing and developing the international smash-hit Rock of Ages, which received five Tony Award nominations. Kristin was only 31 when she received her Tony Nomination for Best Direction of a Musical. Since then, she traveled the world directing productions of Rock of Ages all over the world. Recently, she has directed Episode 6 of Julie and The Phantoms, which came out on Netflix last week, Thursday, September 10th. In this episode, we talk about: • The story of how she got the call that she was on the list of possible directors for Julie and The Phantoms while on vacation in Italy (including a zoom interview with Netflix and call with Kenny Ortega) • Stories about how she would get the resources to put together a production without a high budget • Her experience directing Pussycat Dolls at The Roxy at 24, with celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, and Charlize Theron • How she started having ideas for a musical about rock and roll (which led into Rock of Ages) • The craziest weekend that involved a breakup, funding falling through for a show, and a call that started Rock of Ages • Creating during the pandemic • How it felt to be nominated for a Tony award for Best Director • How she manifested people and opportunities in her life • What realization propelled her to directing more film Resources: Kristin's Instagram and Twitter: @hanggiLove Website: https://www.kristinhanggi.com/ Create Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1075015782555354 Pre-order Kristin's book - https://www.amazon.com/God-Sex-Musical-Theatre-Meditations/dp/194934228X Julie and The Phantom on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/80230534 IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1539392/ Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Hanggi Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.21 with TV Director Linda Mendoza (Scrubs, The Good Place, Yearly Departed, Black-ish). Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E8 · Mon, September 07, 2020
Serena Kerrigan - From Nickelodeon Voiceover Actress to SFK, The Queen of Confidence
Serena Kerrigan, also known as Serena F*cking Kerrigan, SFK, and “The Queen of Confidence,” does not wait for someone to give her a role, she creates that role for herself. This incredibly popular Content Creator, video producer, and Confidence Coach has amassed an engaged and loyal following of 70k+ on Instagram and 150k+ on Tik Tok. Only a few months ago, she created, produced, and hosted Let’s F*cking Date, the first reality show on Instagram Live, which The Today Show called a "Must Watch" and Guest of a Guest called "Better than the Bachelor." Please note that is episode is explicit and has some cursing. In this episode, we talk about: • Where and how she came up with her SFK persona • Where and how she came up with her SFK personaDate, which starts on Wednesday, September 9th • How she grew her loyal and engaged social media following • Creating massive amounts of content while at Refinery 29, including the first bilingual show Celebrando with Serena series and later, the Ask Serena series • The story behind when she knew she had to leave her job at Refinery 29 • How she auditioned for her first job as the voice of a character on Go, Diego, Go! on a voicemail • Whether she would ever think about making her own kid’s show • The incredible diversity portrayed in Children’s programming and why it’s important to have authentic casting • Manifesting all of her success and why it’s important to be confident and say your dreams aloud • The incredible advice she got from her father about creating her own opportunities • Tips for how to build your Confidence • What she tells herself after losing out on a personal or professional opportunity Resources: Website: https://www.serenakerrigan.com/ Instagram: @SerenaKerrigan @Letsfuckingdate Book a Coaching Session with Serena: https://square.site/book/857PGFV26S609/sfk-lfg Pre-Order her Let's F*cking Date Card game: https://letsfuckingdate.com/products/card-game Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.19 with E! Correspondent and Host of Rotten Tomatoes and Dodger Stadium. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E7 · Mon, August 31, 2020
Arun Narayanan - From Intern at Sony to Editorial Analyst at Netflix
Arun Narayanan is an Editorial Analyst of Metadata Research and Development at Netflix. He started as an intern for Avi Arad Productions and Michael De Luca Productions while getting his Masters in Film and Television Productions at USC. After many freelance jobs including Background work, quality control for DVDs, media technician work, editing, production, and writing, Arun has always aspired for balance between his practical and creative pursuits. Now he splits his time between his career at Netflix and his writing. In this episode, we talk about: • How he collected, categorized and analyzed metadata for Disney (including Star Wars and Marvel movies, Black-ish, Greys Anatomy, etc) • What is metadata and tagging and how do large Networks like Disney and Netflix utilize it? • What he is currently working on at Netflix • His short film at USC called Jonas and the Machine with Robert Funke (writer/creator for On Becoming a God in Central Florida starring Kirsten Dunst) • Cool internships with Avi Arad Productions (The Amazing Spiderman, Iron Man, X Men) and Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Captain Phillips, Moneyball) *** I'd like to clarify here that although he was an intern for Michael de Luca during the time of filming Captain Phillips, he did not work on it, as I refer to in the episode. • Writer of the Movie TIME CAPSULE with PixL featuring Reginald VelJohnson and Chris Kattan • His awesome web series Arun Considers • How he hated his first job at Pepsi Co, despite the great pay and company car • What he learned from the MFA program at USC • How he got his agent Resources: Arun's Instagram and Twitter: @arunconsiders Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arunconsiders Website: https://www.arunconsiders.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narayananarun/ Jonas and the Machine: https://vimeo.com/40645082 Pork Fried Rice: https://vimeo.com/33809973 Occupied: https://vimeo.com/34244232 *** CORRECTION - In the Intro, I referred to Arun as the 'human behind the algorithm' and that 'he and his team' work at Netflix. I would like to make it extremely clear that Arun is 'one of the humans behind the algorithm' and he is 'part of a team.' Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.6 with VP of Content Acquisitions and Co-productions at Cartoon Network and Boomerang. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E6 · Mon, August 24, 2020
Adina Pitt - From HBO Temp to Vice President at Cartoon Network
Adina Pitt is the Vice President of Content Acquisitions and Co Productions at Cartoon Network and Boomerang. She started as a PA on a movie in Puerto Rico, moving her way through wonderful internships and a Masters in Early Childhood Development and Educational Communication and Technology from NYU. This proved perfect for her goal to work in Children’s Entertainment. After 10 years at Nickelodeon, Adina found her home at Cartoon Network. In this episode, we talk about: • The difficult process of getting that first paying job • Why she decided to get her Masters • Why she stayed in NY after grad school (as opposed to returning to Puerto Rico) • What is programming acquisitions and how she got into it • How she looks at content and what makes shows specific or differential for the Network • Working at Nickelodeon for 10 years • Discussion of why reboots are so meaningful and popular • Gender disparity in the workplace and the importance of women supporting women • Advice on Networking and acquiring Mentors • Evolution of Children’s programming in Puerto Rico • What she misses most about working in her office • Working on the music cue sheets for Degrassi or proposals for Arthur • Filling live audiences for Where in the World is Carmen San Diego Resources: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adina-pitt-4a86334/ Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.7 with Writer and Editorial Analyst at Netflix. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E5 · Mon, August 17, 2020
David Pepose - From Temp to Ringo award-winning Graphic Novelist
David Pepose is a Ringo award-winning Graphic Novelist, sporting two successful Comic Book series "Spencer and Locke" and "Going to the Chapel." He started out as a Temp at DC Entertainment, before transitioning to a Literary Assistant at Heroes and Villains Entertainment and writing Reviews for Newsarama (the ESPN of Comics). He also learned a lot from his time writing press releases at CBS about what it means to have a slow build as a writer. David takes us in on the exciting world of Comic Books, complete with his first experience at Comic Con and getting optioned very quickly into the launch of Spencer and Locke (film rights). In this episode, we talk about: • How he sold his first graphic novel "Spencer and Locke" • An exclusive first look at his upcoming new series The O.Z. + Kickstarter bit.ly/TheOZComic • His first experience at Comic Con • The initial rejections of his comic book, including "This is the best pitch we'll never publish" • The Production of Comic Books, as well as the breakdown of the different markets • How writing press releases for CBS and comic reviews for Newsarama helped him with writing his books • Some of the great incentives his kickstarter is offering • Little teaser for future of film or additional adaptations • The fun story behind the inspiration of his second series, Going to the Chapel • Being nominated for Ringo Awards against the heavy hitters of the industry (achievement in comic books) • How he got his first illustrator • Breaking 400+ pages of comics scripts written this year Resources: David's Instagram and Facebook: @davidpeposecomics Twitter: @peposed Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peposed/ bit.ly/TheOZComic Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.11 with TV Writer and Novelist Matt Witten. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E4 · Mon, August 10, 2020
Kerri Berney - From Literary Agent's Assistant to NBC Director of Strategic Research
Kerri Berney is currently the Director of Multi-platform and Strategic Research at NBCUniversal Media. Kerri is a badass career woman who has worked in several areas of the Television industry including production, public relations, development, and at a literary agency. She shares with us her journey from an intern for Stan Brooks (Episode 1), to a Literary Assistant at Dytman & Associates, to Scholastic Entertainment, to Sony Pictures Television, to Oxygen Media Network, to VH1/VH1 Classic/CMT, to her current home at NBC. In this episode, we talk about: • The responsibilities of a Director of Multi-platform and Strategic Research at NBC • How she landed her first internship at Once Upon a Time Films for Stan Brooks • Shutting down her life in LA to drive cross country alone for a job at Scholastic Entertainment • Working Comic Con - How she took the initiative to read and pitch comic books • Making the decision to go back to school to get her Masters in TV-Radio-Film at Syracuse • Starting her first real job in Research at Oxygen Media Network • Attending the Glee Concert with the Network Executives • Having to try out for her position when the company was taken over • Thoughts on the future of Television Resources: Kerri's instagram: @newyorkerinewyork @klberney Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-berney-718137/ Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.10 with Hollywood Producer and Manager Ron West. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E3 · Mon, August 03, 2020
Michael Pitt - From Production Assistant To Production Manager of Ocean's 8 and The Punisher
Michael Pitt is a Production Manager with over 70 credits in film and television, including Ocean’s 8, Person of Interest, Nurse Jackie, Sex and the City movies 1 and 2, I am Legend, The Devil wears Prada, 30 Rock, and more. He has had multiple roles on set, including Production Assistant, Second second Assistant Director, Second Assistant Director, First Assistant Director, and Production Manager. In this episode, we talk about: How he went from $500 a week on a Friday to $2,500 a week the following Monday How bitterness of a lost job led him to huge life lesson Discussions on plans to resume filming with the threat of COVID How to network, follow up and meet people in the industry A breakdown of various role responsibilities, including PA (Production Assistants), AD (Assistant Director), Second Second AD, Second AD, First AD, and Production Managers. Starting as a Production Assistant for $30 a day at 16 years old on the comedy, Disorderlies starring Ralph Bellamy and the rap group, The Fat Boys. Process to get into the Director’s Guild of America, including a psychological test. Taking the risky and rather unconventional route of becoming a Production Manager through the AD track. Difficult learning curve from First AD to Production Manager Resources: IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0685855/?ref_=m_nmfm_nm Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.6 with VP of Content Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Cartoon Network and Boomerang (his wife). Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E2 · Mon, July 27, 2020
Jacks and Shawl - From passion project to the official Hallmark Channels' Podcast
Jacklyn Collier and Shawlini Munjunath-Holbrook, or Jacks and Shawl, are the Hosts of Hallmark Channels’ Bubbly Sesh, the official Hallmark Channels' podcast, where they talk about Hallmark movies, shows, romance and relationships. In this episode, you'll learn: - How these ladies took their love of Hallmark movies and turned it into the official podcast for the network. - The benefits of having this huge sponsor behind them, - The best parts of hosting this podcast together - How their podcast led to acting roles on a Hallmark movie and other major collaborations Resources: Instagram: @shawlinivmh @jacklyncollier @thebubblysesh Twitter: @shawlinivmh @JacklynCTweets @thebubblysesh Hallmark Channels' Bubbly Sesh Website: https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/thebubblysesh Bundle Custom Board Games: https://www.thebundlegame.com/ Subscribe, Rate and Review Hallmark Channels' Bubbly Sesh , which can be found on Itunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Castbox, and more Subscribe, Rate and Review Shawlini's podcast Feel the Good with Shawl , which can be found on Itunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Castbox, and more Subscribe, Rate and Review Mentors on the Mic Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.8 with Content Creator and Host of first TV show on IG Live Serena Kerrigan. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
S1 E1 · Mon, July 20, 2020
Stan Brooks - From the Mailroom to Hollywood Producer & Director
Stan Brooks is a talented and highly regarded film and television producer and director. He has produced more than 70 films for film and television since 1989, some going on to be nominated and win Emmys. In this episode, we discuss his first job in the industry, working in the mailroom at a company called Filmways. He explains his incredible subsequent journey to becoming a Producer and now, Director. In this episode, we talk about: His transition from AFI (American Film Institute) to the “real world." The simple and memorable advice his grandfather gave him before his first job. How a tiny film "Perfect Sisters" turned into a successful teen thriller with an Oscar winning cast His involvement in the making of Oscar winning “Rain Man.” Why he got unapproved 3x in a row to direct his first film An incredible story regarding the screening of the film “Submerged” at the White House. Thoughts about filming during this time. His charitable organization, The Hollywood Indies Little League Foundation. Directing 2 episodes of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Resources: IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0112253/ Stan & Deliver Website: https://www.stananddeliver.com/about Recommends seeing Searching for Allison Porchnik by Jason Ensler https://ensemble.brandeis.edu/hapi/v1/contents/permalinks/Pg65Qes9/view Subscribe, Rate and Review Mentors on the Mic on Apple Podcasts Recommendation: If you like this episode, check out Episode 1.14 with Producer/Director/CEO of Deacon Media, Damon Lee. Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
Trailer · Wed, July 15, 2020
Introducing Mentors on the Mic
What do you look for in a Mentor? Every Monday, NYC Native actress Michelle Miller will be talking to some of the most interesting Mentors in Entertainment, including Directors, Producers, Network executives, Actors, and more. Her guests will share how they started, how they moved up and any advice they have for us today. Every path is different. A career in Entertainment is anything but linear. Let’s learn and be inspired together listening to Mentors on the Mic.
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