The BraveMaker Podcast

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...#bravemaker #bravemakerpodcast #bravemakerliveshow #johnfranklevey #castingdirector #thewestwing #shameless #ertv #filmmaking #author #director #writer #actor #emmyaward

🔴 Watch LAST CHANCE CHARLENE, pre-order

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/last-chance-charlene/id1667663620
Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/last-chance-charlene/umc.cmc.3kvowbp5uz308cwzkl9hihsjh

Hosted by: @tonygapastione

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Managed by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen

Mar 24, 202347:11

183: Allison Ewing, Cameron James Matthews and Tony Gapastione discuss LAST CHANCE CHARLENE

A discussion with director Tony Gapastione and actors Allison Ewing (Charlene) and Cameron James Matthews (Dino) with guest co-host Giovannie Espiritu from Los Angeles.

https://bravemaker.com/last-chance-charlene/

https://www.instagram.com/ewingallison/

https://www.instagram.com/cameronjmatthews/

https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerorg

Tune in, share and write a review! Want to sign up for a class or workshop? https://bravemaker.com/ Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds. Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here:

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🔴 Watch LAST CHANCE CHARLENE iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/last-chance-charlene/id1667663620 Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/last-chance-charlene/umc.cmc.3kvowbp5uz308cwzkl9hihsjh

Hosted by: @tonygapastione

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Managed by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen .

#bravemaker #bravemakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #producer #director #writer #actor #filmmaker #LastChanceCharlene

Mar 11, 202350:21

182: Keena Ferguson: Actor + Filmmaker + Dancer + more

Multi-Artist Keena Ferguson (@keenastar) is a director, actress, VO artist, writer, producer, and choreographer. She won a NAACP award for her one woman show, KEENA UNBRANDED, as well as earning an HBO nomination for her film, LONDON PASSING. Her latest film, STOPPED, has gained a lot of attention and went viral on social media. We so look forward to conversing with her and learning about her company, “Now, Go Get it Done.”

https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

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Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards. https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerorg/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravemaker

https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerorg

Hosted by: @tonygapastione

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Managed by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen .

#bravemaker #bravemakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #producer #director #writer #actor #filmmaker

Mar 09, 202352:45

181: Rex Wheeler AKA Lady Camden from S14 of Rupaul's Drag Race

https://www.instagram.com/ladycamden/

Actor, dancer, drag performer.

Tune in, share and write a review!

Want to sign up for a class or workshop?

Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds.

Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

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Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards.

https://www.instagram.com/erichaywood/

🔴 Watch LAST CHANCE CHARLENE, pre-order

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/last-chance-charlene/id1667663620

Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/last-chance-charlene/umc.cmc.3kvowbp5uz308cwzkl9hihsjh

Hosted by: @tonygapastione

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Managed by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen

#bravemaker #bravemakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #producer #director #writer #actor #filmmaker #dragrace #rupaul #dragqueen

Feb 22, 202301:03:38

180: Screenwriter + Director: Eric Haywood

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Eric began his career directing and producing music videos featuring such artists as Usher, Cee-Lo Green, Outkast, New Edition, Ice-T, and Tupac Shakur. His video for E-40’s song “Sprinkle Me” was selected by MTV and XXL Magazine as the #10 Greatest West Coast Rap Video of All Time.

Eric went on to write for such shows as ABC’s Private Practice and Showtime’s Soul Food: The Series. Along the way, he wrote and directed three short films (Nick of Time, Intersection, and Staring at the Sun), each of which screened at various film festivals around the country.

Eric also wrote the Hallmark Channel original movie Relative Stranger, starring Eriq LaSalle (E.R.) and directed by Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep). The film garnered three NAACP Image Award nominations and a Best Supporting Actress Emmy nomination for Cicely Tyson.

Eric wrote and directed the independent feature film Four of Hearts before joining the writing staff of the hit Fox drama Empire. He co-wrote and directed an episode of Empire’s fourth season, then directed the award-winning short film The Last Starship before going on to serve as a co-executive producer for Starz’s Power, ABC’s For Life, and NBC’s Manifest and Law & Order: Organized Crime. He is currently developing the Fox drama Billionaire Class.

Want to sign up for a class or workshop?

Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds.

Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

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Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards.

#bravemaker #bravemakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #southasiancreators #producer #director #writer #actor #filmmaker

Hosted by: @tonygapastione

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Manged by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen

Feb 15, 202358:24

179: Writer and Producer Cindy Begel

To kick off our live shows for February 2023 we had Writer and Producer Cindy Begel!!

Cindy has written for over 30 classic sitcoms including; HAPPY DAYS, THE JEFFERSONS, HEAD OF THE CLASS, MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, NEW LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, and many others!

We hope you can join us on our Facebook page or by subscribing to our YouTube Channel! LINK IN BIO!!

Hosted by: @tonygapastione and @krystinawrayjackson

Want to sign up for a class or workshop?

Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds.

Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

🔴 Donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/brave-maker

Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards.

#bravemaker #bravemakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #southasiancreators #producer #director #writer #actor #filmmaker #screenwriter #screenwriting #filmmaking

Hosted by: @tonygapastione and @krystinawrayjackson

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Manged by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen

Feb 09, 202357:47

178: Screenwriter Suhashaini Krishnan

January 18th, 2023 we we were joined by South Asian screenwriter, director and and producer Suhashini Krishnan (@sushi.kharrl)!! Suhashini’s writing has been recognized by the Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship and Slamdance Film Festival, among others. Her works have been optioned and developed by various studios. She resides in California with her husband and two dogs. You can watch the conversation on our YouTube Channel!

Want to sign up for a class or workshop?

Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds.

Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

🔴 Donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/brave-maker

Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards.

#bravemaker #bravemakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #southasiancreators #producer #director #writer #actor #filmmaker #screenwriter #screenwriting #filmmaking

Hosted by: @tonygapastione and @krystinawrayjackson

Produced by Amy Cohen

Edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

Social Media Manged by Kerri Alley

Intern Jessica Cohen

Jan 31, 202351:58

177: Evy's Wish: The making of a short film

We were thrilled to kick off 2023 with our first live show of the new year on Wednesday, January 4th at 4pm PST/7pm EST, featuring the team from EVY’S WISH short film (@evyswishfilm)! Joining us was producer and makeup artist Pati Currie (@paticurriemua), director Lydia Isnanto (@lydiaisnanto), and screenwriter Sanju Jacob (@sanjujacobuxi)

You can join us on our Facebook page or subscribe to our YouTube channel!! LINK IN BIO!!

Hosted by: @tonygapastione and @krystinawrayjackson

Want to sign up for a class or workshop?

Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds.

Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

🔴 Donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/brave-maker

Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards.

#bravemaker #bravemakerpodcast

Jan 10, 202358:60

176: 4 steps to start achieving your creative goals in 2023

Ready to go after your goals? Here's 4 steps from our founder and executive director: Tony Gapastione

Want to sign up for a class or workshop?

Please like, comment, share, or subscribe if you love film fests, movie-making, storytelling and creativity of all kinds.

Want to connect more? 🔴 Subscribe and watch LIVE here: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

🔴 Donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/brave-maker

Please write a review and DM us a screenshot to be entered into a raffle for Starbucks and Amazon cards.

Follow BraveMaker on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerorg/

Jan 01, 202319:33

175: Making a Christmas Movie the INDIE way with cast/crew from "See You Next Christmas" on PEACOCK

Meet the cast and crew of Peacock’s SEE YOU NEXT CHRISTMAS (@seeyounextchristmasmovie)!! We have the joy of talking with the actor/writer/director, Christine Weatherup (@christineweatherup), actor Elizabeth Guest (@lizzguest), actor AJ Meijer (@digitalactor), and actor Vin Vescio (@vinvescio)!! You can catch the film on Peacock and watch the interview on our YouTube Channel! LINK BELOW.

CORRECTION: This is episode 175, Tony said 176! Sorry!

Watch the interview on video (and others weekly), subscribe to our Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

Become a BraveMaker partner/donor
https://bravemaker.com/donate/

Podcast edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services
https://www.speakmediaservices.com/

Produced by Amy Cohen
https://www.instagram.com/cohen.amy/

Social Media by Kerri Alley
https://www.instagram.com/kerrialley95/

Video clips curated and edited by Jessica Cohen
https://www.instagram.com/jessa.cohen/

Podcast hosted by Tony Gapastione
http://www.tonygapastione.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tonygapastione/

and
Krystina Wray Jackson
https://www.instagram.com/krystinawrayjackson/
https://www.krystinajackson.com/

Dec 25, 202256:24

174: Mike Blizzard, Richard Linklater's Producer, Animation Team and adult actor of Apollo 10 1/2

Producer Mike Blizzrd, Animators and another Actor from Netflix’s APOLLO 10 1/2!!

@minnowmountain, Steph Swope (@stephswope), and Craig Staggs (@craigstaggs); Producer Assistant Lara Morgan; Producer Mike Blizzard (@emblizario); and Actor Bill Wise (@thebillwise)!! Tune in live to our Facebook page or subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/YNKHCWxci6w

Hosted by: @tonygapastione

Follow BraveMaker on Instagram:

https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

Watch the interview on video (and others weekly), subscribe to our Youtube channel:

Become a BraveMaker partner/donor

https://bravemaker.com/donate/

Podcast edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

https://www.speakmediaservices.com/

Produced by Amy Cohen

https://www.instagram.com/cohen.amy/

Social Media by Kerri Alley

https://www.instagram.com/kerrialley95/

Video clips curated and edited by Jessica Cohen

https://www.instagram.com/jessa.cohen/

Podcast hosted by Tony Gapastione

http://www.tonygapastione.com/

https://www.instagram.com/krystinawrayjackson/

and

Krystina Wray Jackson

https://www.krystinajackson.com/

Dec 23, 202254:44

173: Richard Linklater's YOUNG ACTOR cast of Apollo 10 1/2

For episode 173 are joined by three cast members of Netflix’s original movie APOLLO 10 1/2; Danielle Guilbot (@danielle.guilbot), Milo Coy (@therealmilocoy), and Jessica Cohen (@jessa.cohen)!! The film also features, Glen Powell, Zachary Levi, and Jack Black! You can also watch by subscribing to our YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/m_i3FguXy5w

Danielle (Stephanie) started her career in NYC at the age of 9, landing a lead role (Cindy Lou Who) in Broadway’s Touring show Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical!.” Next, Danielle and her little sister Madeleine were both cast as Von Trapp children in a North American tour of "The Sound of Music.” Danielle and her sisters, Guilbot Sisters Project (GSP), are also songwriters and musicians. They were the youngest official performers at SXSW Music Festival in 2018.

Milo (Stanley) surprised everyone when he boldly announced at preschool graduation his plans to become an actor. Apollo 10 1/2 is his first major acting break and in the process fell in love with filmmaking on set at Troublemaker Studios. In the two years since filming Apollo, he's starred in a music video for fan-favorite band Star Parks, two school district theatre productions, and "Search & Destroy," an upcoming short film from writer/director Alex Rosales. Milo's dream is to someday do his own "huge" stunts.

Jessica (Jana) is an actress, writer, musician, singer, aspiring filmmaker, and all-around performer! She has written several screenplays and hopes to bring one of them to life in the near future. In 2021 she won a B. Iden Payne award (excellence in Austin theater) for “Outstanding Featured Musical Performance” for her performance in an Original Work in the Vortex Summer Youth Theater. She has written over 60 original songs, and has released a few on iTunes and Spotify. She is an intern with BraveMaker, and writes blogs for the BraveMaker website.

Hosted by: @tonygapastione and @jaysonyerface

#bravemaker #bravemmakerliveshow #bravemakerpodcast #apollo10andahalf

#netflixoriginalmovie #netflix #filmmaking #producer #director #actor #writer

Dec 23, 202248:18

172: Holiday Gift ideas (2022) for the filmmakers, actors and creative people in your life

Watch the conversation (and subscribe) on our Youtube channel.

https://youtu.be/r9nj4pX3EIU

Want more IDEAS? Listen to episode 133 from 2021!

Follow BraveMaker on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerorg/

Watch the interview on video (and others weekly), subscribe to our Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

Become a BraveMaker partner/donor
https://bravemaker.com/donate/

Podcast edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services
https://www.speakmediaservices.com/

Produced by Amy Cohen
https://www.instagram.com/cohen.amy/

Social Media by Kerri Alley
https://www.instagram.com/kerrialley95/

Video clips curated and edited by Jessica Cohen
https://www.instagram.com/jessa.cohen/

Podcast hosted by Tony Gapastione
http://www.tonygapastione.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tonygapastione/
and
Krystina Wray Jackson
https://www.instagram.com/krystinawrayjackson/
https://www.krystinajackson.com/

Dec 01, 202230:12

171: Documentaries are Sexy. CLEAN SLATE with Jared and Jonathan

** Please note the location has changed to 233 Topaz St. BraveMaker HQ for the screening NOT Cañada College.**

Jared Callahan

https://www.instagram.com/jared_cal/

is an award-winning director / producer. He founded and runs People People Media, an Emmy-nominated production company based on a 95-acre farm in the San Francisco East Bay. His work has been released through The New York Times, PBS, GQ Magazine, The Atlantic, ALTER, NoBudge, Short of the Week & Vimeo Staff Picks. Jared served as one of the Atlanta Film Society’s Filmmakers in Residence, and produced The Driver is Red, which played over 100 festivals, won 43 awards, and qualified for the 2019 Academy Award in two categories. He worked as First Assistant Director on Short Term 12 (2009), which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for Short Filmmaking, and the feature I Am Not A Hipster, which premiered at Sundance in 2012.

https://www.instagram.com/peoplepeoplemedia/

Jonathan Pickett

https://www.instagram.com/jphowdy/

is a national Emmy-nominated creative producer / editor with People People Media, a small production company based on a farm in the San Francisco East Bay. He edited 3 feature films by the age of 26, and has has been on the producing team for projects that have been released through The New York Times, PBS, The Atlantic, ALTER, GQ Magazine, NoBudge, Short of the Week, and Vimeo Staff Picks. He was an associate producer on The Driver is Red, which screened at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and he produced Mr. Somebody which was a selection at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival.

Nov 29, 202252:14

170: Keith Enty tells us how to ask good questions on mental health/veteran care

Keith Enty is a 6 year Air Force Veteran, that currently works as a Work and Family Life Consultant for the US Navy. His job entails of assisting Active Duty, Reservists, and Veteran Service Members along with their families with navigating through the various challenges of Military Life. Some of these services include Military Life Skills, Relocation, Parenting, and even Housing Crisis. One of the main topics Keith covers is Suicide Prevention. It’s no secret why the Military is in need of extensive preventative training regarding Suicide. His Suicide Prevention Training covers prevention, specialized counseling, a safe space for Service Members to speak to someone without judgement, and an all around educational experience to make sure Service Members are able to recognize signs and provide/utilize supportive resources.

Nov 16, 202246:12

169: Director and Writer: Catherine Vouvray

https://www.instagram.com/acvouvray/

Catherine grew up gay in God’s country. She feared for her life at home with mentally ill parents and out in the rural world of rednecks, where members of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities were killed for sport. She watched, trembling at six, as hooded members of the KKK burned a giant cross. She heard about the boy who was killed for giving a blow job. It’s no wonder that themes of repression of women and minorities are omnipresent in her work. A creative always on the fringes of mainstream society, her mission now is to champion inclusivity. Catherine wants to add to queer cinema, especially empowering lesbians, and invent a renaissance of interest in our elders. She wants to place older women at the epicenter of story. She wants to tell the stories of the overlooked and marginalized and give a bullhorn to those who aren’t often given a voice. Catherine has written numerous award-winning screenplays for features and TV, becoming a fellow of the Middlebury Script Lab, attending the Stowe Narrative Lab on a partial scholarship, and attending both the feature retreat and TV lab at CineStory. She has directed four short films so far and will be shooting her feature directorial debut this summer.

Follow BraveMaker on Instagram:

https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

Watch the interview on video (and others weekly), subscribe to our Youtube channel:

Become a BraveMaker partner/donor

https://bravemaker.com/donate/

Podcast edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

https://www.speakmediaservices.com/

Produced by Amy Cohen

https://www.instagram.com/cohen.amy/

Social Media by Kerri Alley

https://www.instagram.com/kerrialley95/

Video clips curated and edited by Jessica Cohen

https://www.instagram.com/jessa.cohen/

Podcast hosted by Tony Gapastione

http://www.tonygapastione.com/

https://www.instagram.com/krystinawrayjackson/

and

Krystina Wray Jackson

https://www.krystinajackson.com/

Nov 10, 202239:33

168: Tina D'Elia : SF actor, teacher and one woman show writer/performer

https://instagram.com/tinadeliasf

TINA D’ELIA (She/Her) is a Bay Area lesbian/queer, mixed-race Mexican artist and small business owner, teacher, and coach and an award-winning solo performer, actor, co-screenwriter, and casting director. D’Elia is also the program director of the LezWritesBTQ program with 3Girls Theatre. Tina is honored to be performing her 4th solo show Overlooked Latina, directed by Mary Guzmán and developed with David Ford, at The Marsh (San Francisco) this month. Her next shows are October 27th and 29th. D’Elia’s solo show: The Rita Hayworth of this Generation, won “Best of Fringe” (2015) and won “Best of Sold-Out Shows” at the San Francisco Fringe Festival (2015). She is currently developing her fifth solo show, The Break-Up! A Queer Latina Torch Song, directed by Mary Guzmán. D’Elia has presented her solo shows in a variety of venues including: The National Queer Arts Festival, The Theater Offensive (Boston), The Marsh (SF/Berkeley), The Marsh Rising Star, Stage Werx, Highways Performance Space (LA), Crazy Nannies (NY), LezWrites, Women on the Way Festival, and more. D’Elia was recognized in Go Magazine 100 Women We Love (2019) and in the leading national lesbian Curve magazine Power List of 2017. D’Elia is the recipient of the Best Actress Award and the Diversity Casting Award (2017) from the Equality International Film Festival. D’Elia received the: The Audience Award at Frameline33 (2009), as a co-screenwriter of the short film Lucha, also nominated for the prestigious Iris Prize (2009). Her feature film/television/webseries credits include: The Pursuit of Happyness, Knife Fight, Guitar Man, Earth Mama, Trauma (NBC), Sense8 (Netflix), Dyke Central (Amazon), Transfinite, and Assigned Female at Birth (YouTube). Follower her on Instagram/Twitter: tinadeliasf, Tina D’Elia on FaceBook. Her websites: tinadelia.com and tinadeliaconsulting.com.

Nov 07, 202201:00:53

167: Award Winning Filmmaker Tom Procida

https://instagram.com/acting.up.again/

Tom Procida is an award winning filmmaker whose films have received high recognition worldwide and can be seen on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO.

As an actor of 30+ years, Tom has been seen in a wide range of projects such as commercials, industrials, theatrical plays, indie films, national and international TV shows including PRISON BREAK, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, and the Mexican telenovela POR AMAR SIN LEY.

His future plans consist of the continuing journey, as an actor and film maker, to fulfill the goals of bringing meaningful and thought-provoking stories into the world.

https://tomprocida.weebly.com/

Oct 29, 202252:22

166: Actor Brian D. Cohen

https://instagram.com/briandactor/

Brian D. Cohen is a burgeoning actor from the Bay Area who is quickly making a name for himself with such roles “Greg Zlotsky” in the Nash Bridges reboot (USA network/Peacock) and “Mr. Stubbins” in the upcoming HBO Max holiday film “A Christmas Mystery.” Although he is relatively “new” to the acting world, Brian has dabbled in entertainment his whole life; acting and modeling as a child from age 8-12, and writing, singing and co-producing his own R&B music in his 20’s and 30’s. Since 2019, Brian has dedicated his life to the craft of acting, consistently training with ZA studios and acting coaches Jamie Carroll, Howard Fine and Jamison Jones among others, as well as constantly auditioning and networking. Brian also recently had a baby with his lovely and supportive wife Heather!

Oct 19, 202250:15

165: Tony Taylor: It's QWERE

https://www.instagram.com/itsqwere/

TICKETS FOR Novemeber 5th, 2022: https://www.itsqwere.com/mightyreal/

Tony Taylor is a writer, photographer, editor, and proud Black man creating spaces that push the queer agenda. In 2018 he started ItsQwere, a community social group that centers and celebrates the experiences of Black and Brown queers through conversation salons and events. With ItsQwere, Tony has moderated salons throughout California, New York City, Philadelphia, Paris, Istanbul, Bucharest, and thanks to The Rona: the limitless virtual world of Zoom. As a writer, he’s interviewed the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 winner Bob the Drag Queen, Star Trek’s George Takei, and TV pioneer Barbara Eden, star of I Dream of Jeannie. As a regular person he consumes memoirs, biopics, wine and edibles, and he loves each of his 50+ plant babies equally.

Oct 14, 202246:52

164: Casting Director SALLY FORCIER

https://forciercasting.com

https://www.instagram.com/forciercasting/

https://www.facebook.com/forciercasting.sacramento

Casting Director and Producer Sally Forcier has been in the business for over 29 years. She got her start as an actor, and portrayed Alexa in the film ENAMORED. As time went on she grew a love for all things filmmaking and behind the scenes. She has produced 8 films in 6 years. In 2019 she received the 2018 CFAA President’s Award from The Capital Film Arts Alliance in Sacramento, CA. She is a champion for the local film community, and moved into casting to meet a need in the Sacramento Valley!

You can tune into our Facebook page or subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch!

Please SHARE: https://www.youtube.com/bravemakerorg

PODCAST EDITED BY: https://www.instagram.com/speakmediaservices/

SOCIAL MEDIA BY: https://www.instagram.com/kerrialley95/

PRODUCED BY: https://www.instagram.com/cohen.amy/

HOSTED BY: https://www.instagram.com/tonygapastione/ + https://www.instagram.com/krystinawrayjackson/

Oct 05, 202255:59

163: Actor Julie Dove voices JESSICA FROM ACCOUNTING on BIRD GIRL

Actor and business owner Julie Dove is currently the voice of Jessica From Accounting in the @adultswim @hbomax and show BIRDGIRL!

https://www.instagram.com/juliedove/

She can also be seen in INSATIABLE, ANGIE TRIBECA, LEGIT, PLAYDATE, and Tyler Perry’s YOUNG DYLAN. In addition to acting she also has an editing business called, Actorediting, where actors can get their own reels updated or created! You can watch on our Facebook page, or subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch!

Sep 28, 202259:24

162: Actor/Filmmaker + Cult Survivor Giovannie Espiritu

Jason Fong joins hosts Krystina Wray Jackson and Tony Gapastione for episode 162 with actor/filmmaker and cult survivor Giovannie Espiritu.

Giovannie’s identity is inherently political: A bisexual, once-undocumented immigrant Filipina mom who spent time in a Biblical doomsday cult as a teen. Her first short film, “Ultra-Feminist,” got an Honorable Mention at Outfest: Fusion, and her second film, “ALLY 3000,” won over 12 awards at film festivals mainly in scriptwriting and social justice.

https://www.instagram.com/giospirit2/

Most of her work has taken aim at dismantling the patriarchy, healing generational trauma, and exposing systems of bias with humor. Her primetime credits include a recurring role on ER (NBC), Bones (FOX), Gilmore Girls (ABC), and Trauma (NBC). She can currently be seen as the lead in the Amazon series, “Dyke Central.” She can currently be seen as Nancy on the Tubi Original “Titanic 666,” alongside Jaime Bamber, Keesha Sharp, and Annalynne McCord. She coaches kids/teens/adults online internationally through HollywoodActorsWorkshop.com and was the on-call coach Rosalie Chiang for Pixar’s Turning Red.

Sep 20, 202251:51

161: J.J. Soria of NETFLIX'S GENTEFIED and HBO Max's THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

https://www.instagram.com/jjsoria/

J.J. Soria has been acting for over 20 years doing award-winning televisions series such as Dexter, The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, Bones, and The Closer, among others. In addition, he starred opposite Gina Rodriguez on the big screen in Filly Brown, which debuted at Sundance, and Kristen Stewart in Camp X-Ray. In 2020, Soria starred opposite Terry Crews in the hit movie John Henry for Netflix. In 2019, he was a lead in the Peabody nominated Netflix series Gentefied executive produced by America Ferrera. Most recently you can find him opposite Kaley Cuoco on the award-winning show The Flight Attendant for HBO Max.

https://twitter.com/JJSoria

Sep 12, 202252:45

160: Intimacy Coordinator JEAN FRANZBLAU

How do you film a sex scene, er...(scratch that) a SIMULATED SEX scene?

https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodintimacycoordinator/

Jean Franzblau has some thoughts. Jean is a Los Angeles-based Intimacy Professional who works in TV, film and theater. Her role is to help actors navigate scenes with intimate content with respect and care. Jean’s credits include CSI: Vegas on NBC, Deep Water on Hulu, M. Night Shymalan’s latest thriller, Old, and Netflix’s upcoming feature, Blonde. Her background includes acting, casting, and sex education.

To attend JEAN'S show: Coming Out Kinky: September 8th, 2022--in LA click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coming-out-kinky-a-sex-positive-story-tickets-405471705787?fbclid=IwAR3smUDsjcHw0XC20t2ncraVZjwY_Y3nqKgbIqVON_btzo2n-7jQNze5JaY

Sep 06, 202254:25

159: Broadway Musician Zak Sandler

https://www.zaksandler.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bipolar_broadway/

Zak Sandler has played piano on Broadway for Wicked, Mean Girls, Motown, and The Color Purple. His original musical about his mental health journey, Inside My Head, premiered at the NY Theatre Barn, was selected as a semi-finalist at the O’Neill Theater’s National Music Theater Conference, and presented at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Zak revised the show as a writer-in-residence at the Kennedy Center’s REACH page-to-stage festival in January 2022. He is touring the show - which includes a group discussion - to colleges, high schools, mental health and non-profit organizations, medical schools, companies, and anyone else who wants to host this inspiring, life changing event.

Virtual performances are available, though in-person is preferred! In addition to Inside My Head, Zak is creating a docuseries about the connection between mental conditions and creativity, called Insanely Talented. He is co-writing three shows with the brilliant and lovely Adele Powers: Anthem, a musical that explores why we sing the national anthem (conceived by Rachel Payne); a musical about a unicorn called That Musical About a Unicorn; and a musical about Judaism, called Happy Challah Days: A Jewish Revue-ish. Zak is also arranging and co-orchestrating Unlimited, a musical revue of the work of Stephen Schwartz’s (composer of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and Children of Eden, and soundtracks of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Prince of Egypt, Pocahontas, and Enchanted). Zak has won several music awards including the Fenno Heath Award for writing the new Yale song, the Neva Greenwood award for writing a symphony in 8th grade, the Mount Vernon Piano Competition (playing “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Mount Vernon Orchestra in 8th grade), and was selected as a composer for the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project at Northwestern (a mixture of a thrilling week of writing, and a deep depression).

https://www.insidemyheadmusical.com/

Zak graduated from Yale with a BA in music composition in 2008 - two years after his exhilarating and terrifying first psychotic episode. He is very glad that he returned to school for the following semester, following his psychiatrist’s advice. Beyond musical theater, Zak is an avid mental health activist, speaking about his mental conditions on “This is Actually Happening” (podcast with 45K+ plays), and “Moments of Clarity” (radio show with 1M+ listeners). In 2018, he won the Young Leader Award from the New York State chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and is a featured speaker with This is My Brave, RespectAbility, and the JED Foundation. Zak’s hobbies include barbershop singing (he is a member of the Alexandria Harmonizers, a choir of 60 people who age from their 20s to 80s!), playing golf, watching college basketball, spending time with his cats, eating fancy food (usually vegetarian), traveling (he has been to 48 US states and 26 countries), and, after years of resisting TV, watching shows like “Grace and Frankie” and “The Ultimatum” with his fiancee, Lenna. He feels incredibly grateful to have her and the rest of his family and friends in his life. Zak tries not to use phrases "mental illness" or "bipolar disorder", because he feels they imply there's something wrong with him (although he knows those terms fit well for some of us). He prefers the terms “mental conditions” and simply, “bipolar”.

https://soundcloud.com/zaksandler/mental-episode-1-from-a-bit-too-much-about-me

Aug 31, 202244:42

158: Film Critic Marco Cerritos of The Movie Lens

Marco Cerritos is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle. He’s written about films at home and all over the world in festivals including; Cannes, Sundance, and Toronto.

https://www.themovielens.com/

Aug 23, 202251:38

157: Actor/Model Priscilla Lam

https://www.instagram.com/mspriscillalam/

Priscilla Lam is a 1 year Meisner trained actor with over 3 years of experience. Most recently she could be found playing Cafe Barista in Last Chance Charlene by Tony Gapastione. She has also entertained audiences as CoCo in the Things Will Change by Shalini Agrawal, and Young Crystal in Wives with Knives.

Priscilla received her B.A. in Business Administration. While pursuing her degree, she learned her passion truly lies with storytelling in the form of acting. After graduation, Priscilla sought out avenues to train as an actor and to focus on her career as an commercial/ film actor.

Priscilla is looking forward to starring in an Emmy award winning tv series in the near future. Until then, she is continuing to train and ground in the techniques as she tells stories.

Aug 17, 202249:46

156: Filmmaker Sassy Mohen of HOW TO HACK BIRTH CONTROL

Director/writer Sassy Mohen (@sassymohen) of HOW TO HACK BIRTH CONTROL, which was featured in our 2022 BraveMaker Film Festival.

https://www.birthcontrolhacks.com/watch

https://www.instagram.com/sassymohen/

Aug 10, 202246:34

155: 2022 BraveMaker Film Fest Recap with filmmakers

Join Kyrstina Wray Jackson and Tony Gapastione in conversation with

Kayla Robinson

Damien D. Smith

Nick Musleh

and Eli Vasquez

Jul 20, 202201:08:02

154: Mama Bears documentary filmmaker Daresha Kyi

https://mamabearsdoc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mamabearsdoc/

Daresha writes, produces, and directs film and television in Spanish and

English. A graduate of NYU Film School, she recently completed Mama Bears, her second feature documentary about how conservative, Christian mothers are transformed when they decide to accept their LGBTQ children, which premiered at SXSW and won Best Documentary at the Sun Valley Film Festival.

In 2018 she was commissioned by the ACLU to direct Trans In America: Texas Strong, which garnered over 4 million views online, screened at SXSW, and won two Webby Awards and an Emmy for “Outstanding Short Documentary.” In 2017 she co-directed and produced Chavela, a multiple award-winning documentary about iconic singer Chavela Vargas that was distributed by Music Box Pictures and screened in over 40 countries, including Translyvania.

In 2015 she produced Kristina Wong’s How Not to Pick Up Asian Women. In 2014 she served as EP of Emmy-winning writer Kevin Avery’s satirical take on The Wiz starring an all-white cast called The Whizz and in 2011 she produced his short comedy, Thugs, The Musical. In 1992 Daresha won a full fellowship from Tri-Star Pictures to attend the directors’ program at the AFI Conservatory based on her short, award-winning narrative Land Where My Fathers Died, co-starring Isaiah Washington. She produced her first, award winning drama, The Thinnest Line, as a student at NYU. Daresha’s films have been funded by ITVS, NEA, IDA Enterprise, Creative Capital, the Jerome Foundation, and many other foundations. She was a fellow in the Firelight Media Documentary Lab, Chicken & Egg Eggcelerator Lab, Sundance Institute: Women and Film Financing Intensive, Breaking Through the Lens, Film Independent Documentary Lab, Creative Capital, and A Blade of Grass cohorts. Daresha also has an extensive background in television and has produced programming for FX, WE, AMC, Telemundo, and FUSE, among other networks.

Tammi Terrell Morris was born, raised, and currently resides in Southern California with her fiance, Shadae and 2 sons.She has a degree in Sociology and a Masters of Leadership and Management. Tammi has spent her professional life serving the community of individuals with developmental disabilities in the Inland Empire in multiple capacities, from Job Coach to Regional Center Case Coordinator. Tammi has recently transitioned to a full time Caregiver (Stay at home Mom). In her spare time, she enjoys producing and recording material for her podcast Confused Reality. She hopes to use her talents of writing poetry, performing spoken word, motivational speaking, and ability to connect with people to make the world a more loving and accepting place.

Jun 30, 202253:24

153: Doing the film fest circuit successfully with filmmaker Dan Mirvish

Meet Filmmaker/Author and Slamdance Co-Founder DAN MIRVISH currently on the film festival circuit with his feature film 18 1/2.

https://www.instagram.com/dmirvish/

https://www.instagram.com/slamogram/

Dan and Tony will discuss the experience of being AT a film fest with your film, the what to dos and what no to dos and how to maximize your experience for the best possible outcome.

https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerfilmfest/

Jun 29, 202253:09

152: Filmmakers of Being Michelle (Documentary)

https://www.beingmichelle.com/

Tickets to see the film: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/347265007987

Saturday July 9th, 3pm Redwood City, Ca.

https://www.instagram.com/beingmichellefilm/

Atin Mehra (Director/Producer/Director of Photography) is an award winning filmmaker who was born and raised in Varanasi, India and currently resides with his family in Los Angeles, CA. In 1999 Atin picked up his first camera and began taking photographs. Atin's uncanny ability to connect with individuals from behind the lens eventually led him into filmmaking. His own personal struggles with abuse and discrimination in India drew him to stories of underrepresented and marginalized individuals and communities. One of the first films he worked on was about female victims of dowry burnings -- a project he was forced to abandon when he started receiving death threats. In 2002, Atin directed and shot his first short film, MITTI KE JIVAN (THE CYCLE OF CLAY) about a potter from the Kumhar caste. Atin lived and worked in India until 2005, when he moved to the United States with his wife, Mae Thornton Mehra. In 2007 he started his own production company, Orange Kite Productions. Atin and Mae are Co-directing another feature documentary film, HER SONG which has been in production since 2009. Additionally they are in production on SEIZE THE DAY.

BEING MICHELLE is Atin’s directorial debut which won the Audience Award for Best Feature Documentary at Florida Film Festival. https://www.instagram.com/beingmichellefilm/ Mae Thornton Mehra (Producer) is an oral historian and filmmaker who earned her MA in Islamic Studies at Columbia University in New York City in 2008. Mae has collaborated with her husband and filmmaker, Atin Mehra on documentary film and other media projects at Orange Kite Productions since its inception in 2007. In 2020, Mae and Atin co-founded the nonprofit Thriving Roots Initiative to further their work of social impact documentary filmmaking.

Dr. Mei Kennedy (Social Impact Advisor) has firsthand experience navigating the justice system supporting her Deaf father, who was incarcerated for seven and half years. Dr. Kennedy obtained her doctorate degree in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University and provides strategic consulting services on integrating technology in support of improving the learning experience for Deaf students In addition to her background in Instructional Design, she fosters enhancement in communication accessibility with years of experience in remote realtime transcription services. Dr. Kennedy also serves on the board of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc (TDI) and Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband and two boys. She is a parent, and an advocate of a hearing son with autism. Genaere Lowery (ASL Interpreter) Is a nationally certified ASL interpreter, and has been interpreting professionally for over 13 years. Both of her parents are Deaf, making ASL her first language. Along with working in a variety of settings (including mental health, technological, and legal) she is also serving on the board of the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (FRID).

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/347265007987

Podcast edited by Barnell Amos of Speak Media Services

https://www.speakmediaservices.com/

Jun 04, 202201:47:25

151: Tony + Krystina chat about Patreon and filmmaking