VersaVision

Director Round Table: Filmmaking, the Academy, and Passion with Christine Chen, Lauren Alexon and Jeff Benjamin

With the preliminary voting ending today at 5:00 PT, we were treated with a conversation with several filmmakers with films in contention for the 97th Academy Awards. Versa and her fantastic guests cover a range of topics, from the day-to-day business on set, to how to stay driven in a creative field. Finally, they get into the big picture of the entertainment landscape and what challenges and opportunities new technology offers to starting filmmakers and seasoned veterans alike.
Christine Chen is an Academy qualified film producer, director and writer. Her most recent project entitled ERZULIE, which won the Best Dark Drama Feature at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival, is now available on VOD.
Jeff Benjamin is doctor turned award-winning filmmaker and contender for the 97th Academy Awards. He directed I Can't Breathe, a documentary filmmaker in consideration for an Academy Award nomination.
Lauren Alexon is a makeup artist turned filmmaker and author. She produced the documentary I Can't Breathe and is also in consideration to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

David Millbern: A Hollywood Multi-Hyphenate Career

This week we are joined by Emmy-winning producer and actor David Millbern.
 
David has been involved in over 120 projects, including the cult classic “The Slumber Party Massacre”, ABC’s “General Hospital”, Daytime Emmy winning “Girls’ Voices Now”, and most recently “Big Rage.” David’s myriad of work and talent allows him to be an excellent advocate for social justice causes, and bring more inclusion and diversity on screen.
In this episode, we discuss his experiences on set as an actor and producer, as well as his latest film “Big Rage” now available to stream on HereTV. We are also joined by surprise guests Fabian Arnold and Baracha, the leads of “Big Rage.”

Glenn Morshower: Part 2

Glenn Morshower returns this week to bring us more of his Glenn-isms!
Glenn's career has taken him to all across the entertainment landscape. He has played key roles in films like Black Hawk Down, Air Force One, and Moneyball, television series like Manhunt, Supergirl, and Bloodline, and even videogames like the Call of Duty and Wolfenstein franchises. We are always excited to talk with Glenn and hear of his wealth of industry knowledge.
This episode was recorded on 10/25/24

Glenn Morshower Part 1: Creating a Mindset of Expectancy

This week we are joined by award-winning actor, producer and writer Glenn Morshower!
Glenn's has appeared in key roles in countless notable films and television shows, from franchises like Transformers and X-Men to series like Ozark, 24, and The Resident. With more than 250 credits, Glenn has a wealth industry knowledge, which no doubt is why he has taken his talents to sharing insights and wisdom with audiences as an inspirational speaker.
In this episode, we discuss how to get into an effective headspace and being active in creating your success. 
This episode was recorder on October 18, 2024.

Brian Michael Smith: Trans Actor in Hollywood

This week, we are joined by a groundbreaking trans-actor Brian Michael Smith. In this episode, we discuss how he became first openly black trans man cast as a series regular on broadcast TV with his role as Strickland on 9-1-1: Lone Star and what that means to him as an actor.
Brian has also appeared on notable shows like NBC’s Chicago P.D., Showtime’s Homeland, HBO’s Girls, and Queen Sugar.
Before starting his acting career, Brian mentoring youth in filmmaking, instilling in them the skills to tell their own stories. Advocacy for better trans representation has become a driving force in Brian's career, as he seeks to empower young creators to create the stories they want to see. Brian strives to create a more inclusive media landscape.
This episode was originally recorded live in the VersaVision Clubhouse room on 10/11/24.

Anthony Meindl: A Discussion with the Uber Acting Coach

This week, we are joined by the award-winning writer, director, and global acting coach Anthony Meindl! In this engaging discussion Anthony talks about living in the moment, the importance of empathy, and how to bring the best out the best of actors in every performance!Anthony has acting studios in 10 cities all over the world and he is currently in post-production on his latest feature "Memento Mori" that explores the climate crisis with interlocking love stories that tape place all over the world. The production filmed in Namibia, South Africa, India, Greece, Taiwan and Canada last year.This episode was originally recorded live in the VersaVision Clubhouse room on 08/16/24.

The Lyndon Technique: Unlocking Success in Hollywood with Amy Lyndon

This week, we are joined by the one and only Amy Lyndon as she walks us through her ideology on booking roles in entertainment! Lyndon’s rich and varied career, both in front of and behind the camera, has given her a profound appreciation for the work that goes into being successful. Drawing from her wealth of experience, Amy shares expert insights from her internationally acclaimed, revolutionary book, The Lyndon Technique: The 15 Guideline Map to Booking.
Amy Lyndon is considered Hollywood’s premier celebrity acting and booking coach, with extensive experience within the inner workings of the industry. At the top of her game, Lyndon’s work as a multi-award-winning actress, director, writer, and producer has been equally notable, informing her unique perspective on what casting directors and producers seek in on-screen talent.
This episode was originally recorded live in the VersaVision Clubhouse room on 08/09/24.

Meet Casting Director & Author Jen Rudin

Jen Rudin recently reopened Jen Rudin Casting following her stints at ICM and IAG and joins us to share her vast wealth of experience and offer sound advice for aspiring actors looking to grow their career and find balance in their personal and professional life!
Jen is an award-winning casting director, author and audition coach who began her decades-long career in show business as a professional child actor at age eight. She is the proud author of Confessions of a Casting Director: Help Actors Land Any Role with Secrets From Inside the Audition Room (HarperCollins) and the host of the Confessions of a Casting Director popular podcast. Check out her USA Today op-ed piece about the victory for Casting Directors finally getting their own Oscar category. She has published essays in Newsweek and Kveller and recently cast the new #GiftOfGiggles campaign for Sesame Street.
This episode was originally recorded live in the VersaVision Clubhouse room on 7/19/24.

Meet Major Talent Agent Michael Eisenstadt of AEFH

Michael Eisenstadt, President of AEFH joins us for an engaging conversation about the best way for an actor to make it in their career. Listen to today's episode to hear Michael's advice on how to thrive as an actor and how one must be fully committed to the craft.
Eisenstadt has been nominated six times for the Seymour Heller Talent Manager Association Award (TMA) and won the Best Adult Theatrical Agent Award in 2007, 2019 and 2022. AEFH has been rated in the top 20 Talent Agencies as listed in the Los Angeles Business Journal for many years in a row and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
This episode was originally recorded live in the VersaVision Clubhouse room on 7/12/24.

Meet Jacqui Pitman: Executive Producer, Content Creator, and Casting Director

Jacqui Pitman is Owner of Pitman Casting Inc., a full service, reality television casting company in Los Angeles. As one of the go-to casting directors in the reality industry, Pitman’s recent casting credits include ABC’s The Golden Bachelor, The Golden Bachelorette, America's Most Wanted, Raid the Cage, Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal, Wheel of Fortune, Blind Date, Kids Say The Darndest Things, Big Brother 2, Face Off (seasons 1-13), Dating Naked, Hollywood Game Night (pilot and premiere season), Play-Doh Squish, Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge, Who Wants to be a Supermodel?, Dual Survival, and I, Caveman.
When Pitman served as SVP of Development at Lighthearted Entertainment for over thirteen years, she created and executive produced the MTV hit dating show, NEXT! inspired by her own dating life. She also developed and co-executive produced ABC's hit show, Extreme Makeover. In 2017, in partnership with Asylum Entertainment, Pitman created, executive produced, and cast Bravo's To Rome for Love, a groundbreaking series following five single African American women in Italy, produced under her PartyPit Productions Inc. banner.
This episode was originally recorded live in the VersaVision Clubhouse room on 6/28/24 with our special guest host Janette R. Smith