Heidi Germaine Schnappauf
“I can tell you what ignited my passion from an early age…and how my flame had been put out and re-ignited time after time over the years…I have a story for nearly every day of a dark period in my life when the harsh reality of this world set in – but for every dark story, there is a story of light and of kindness…”(read more…)
Seidy Lopez
Award-winning Mexican-American Actress and Film Director, Seidy Lopez, in an Interview with TCP Ambassador Minerva Vier. Seidy talks about her creative inspirations, organic approach and remarkable process in directing the acclaimed film, Shevolution. (more at YouTube)
Deborah Lee Smith
“Honestly, I am constantly growing and overcoming my own insecurities and the thing that has helped me the most has been building a solid tribe of incredible people that I learn and grow with….Every project allows me to grow my community while learning something wonderful about myself… I truly believe that we will all rise together.” (read more…)
Heidi Cox
“…I never got an entire headcount but I remember standing on the red carpet with the press there and seeing the turn out when we screened the episodes and my heart was full.
It was only a few years before that when I felt as though I was shrinking internally. But standing in that event, looking around I realized that I had a voice and how important it is for all of us to speak.
Share Your Wisdom.” (read more…)
Marie Jamora
Spotlight –Marie Jamora
Heidi Cox sat down with her friend writer/director Marie Jamora to talk about how she is staying creative during this new normal. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, writer-director MARIE JAMORA was named one of the “Five Visionary Asian-American Female Filmmakers” in Kore Magazine’s ‘New Hollywood’ issue. After graduating from Columbia University with an MFA in Film, she returned to Manila to direct commercials and television. Marie became the first Filipinx director to be accepted into AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, where she wrote and directed HARANA, which just premiered at the Bentonville and Urbanworld Film Festivals. Currently, Marie is part of the 2020 class for the Warner Bros. Television Directors’ Workshop and is Adjunct Directing Faculty at the American Film Institute. (read more at YouTube)
Daria Price
Spotlight — Daria Price works in both documentary and narrative film. Making Driven to Abstraction, she spent years following an art forgery hoax and the New York trial that exposed the scandalous habits of the art trade. It premiered at Raindance Film Festival in London in September 2019, where it was nominated for Best Documentary Feature. Daria’s first feature Out on a Limb won Best Documentary at the Boston International Film Festival and was broadcast throughout the USA and world. Daria wrote, directed, and edited the award-winning short Survival of the Fittest, a satirical mystery that lampoons America’s obsession with youth and beauty. She is a member of IATSE and Writers Guild of America East.
Tige Charity
Kids in the Spotlight — “My objective is to provide hope and a sense of accomplishment to foster care kids throughout the country, as well as motivate, educate and lead a team of change agents who understands the power of team work, community and giving back.”
Brea Grant
“Your art is important and you matter. If it means something to you, it means something to someone else. ” (read more)
Beverly Hynds
“I believe that we are tested at every precipice, meaning that when we make a choice to commit to a life of a creator (and here I will specifically speak to the creator as an artist) then we are tested to review our commitment to this path.” (read more)
Michelle Muldoon
“If there’s one thing I have learned though, it’s that confidence is over-rated, and conviction is under-appreciated. When I lack confidence, I draw strength in the belief that this is the right thing for me to do. I find conviction always leads me forward….” (read more)
Kristin Windell
“Surround yourself with mentors and friends that inspire you to be the kind of filmmaker you want to be. Be true to who you are and trust your gut. Remember that small wins lead to big wins. If you have a story in your head, get out there and shoot it…” (read more)
Joy Lane
“It is the times that I felt the weakest, that in hindsight, I realize I have been the strongest, for going through the fire, the fear, the doubt, feeling the burn, coming out scorched but still standing–that is strength. And at the end of the day, you are able to help someone else, encourage someone else, lift up someone else, be the cheerleader from someone else because you survived the storm and can be an example of how they can too…” (read more)
Janet Von
“You cannot allow anyone to make you feel like you are dreaming too big. You have all the tools to start a business, or become anything you want to be in life. …Use the internet to learn instead of using it to waste your time and even when things feel like it’s the end of the world it’s not. You will overcome, you will succeed if you choose that path for yourself. Stay in a positive mindset. Mindset is everything…” (read more)
Paula Rhodes
“I’ve learned overall, that seeing your own life as the biggest story you tell as a Storyteller (because we do tell it and do craft it) is the most empowering stance…” (read more)
Emily Andrews
“Don’t be afraid to admit you need help, or talk about mistakes. Problem solving quickly and without ego makes such a difference in the entire process. Communicate what you need and want clearly and you will feel free. ..” (read more)
Jen Pogue
“Whether I’m on-camera or flailing behind it – organizing a stack of contracts and tending to the craft table, it helps to truly exercise my goal of become an all-encompassing story-teller who brings compelling content into the world alongside fellow kick ass creatives” …(read more)
Bolga Ogun
“When I saw that diverse parts were lacking in the industry I really wanted to figure out how I could change that. So I decided to make it myself!…But as Ava Duvernay said ‘If your dream only includes you, it’s too small.’…For anyone who wants to be a filmmaker I would say the best thing to do is SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT!! Even if it’s just on your phone. You want to show that you can be a storyteller! “…(read more)
Ashley Clement
“It has never been a smooth road. I was always prepared for that – one thing people love to tell aspiring young actors is how hard it will be. They were right, but I was also right that I had the perseverance, passion, and to continue to be alliterative, patience, to pursue this career. This career is 90% rejection. You have to be in it for the long game. I think everyone in entertainment can relate to the struggle to care deeply about what we’re working on and then not be completely heartbroken when it’s canceled or you don’t get the part/callback/audition…”(read more)
Carlease Burke
“As far as making the industry and world more inclusive, I can only lead by example.
I believe all people have value and I associate with people based on what they have to offer from the inside out…”(read more)
America Young
“I am a director with a long history in stunts and comedy who loves genre, action and sci-fi stories. Comedy and sci-fi are such powerful tools for asking ‘What if?’ Exploring tough topics in safe ways that make us laugh and think. As long as I can tell a story that is entertaining and thought provoking, I know I’ve done well. I also specialize in finding what lights up others and encouraging them to go after it…”(read more)
J. Cheryl Bookout
“Art making has been a life-long passion. It is all I have ever wanted to do or be: an artist. This obsession has led me down many creative career paths: I’ve designed and manufactured women’s sportswear, worked as a gallery director, public arts commissioner, independent curator…”(read more)
Tara Platt
“I think we need to be less judgmental of others and more introspective about ourselves. We are all doing the best we can to get thru this thing called life in a way that is authentic and honest to us. You never really know another person’s story unless you hear it from them, so give a little more space for them to be them and you to be you. If you don’t like something let it pass and if you love something scream it from the rooftops…”(read more)
Maggie Macdonald
“I am drawn to roles with physical and emotional battles. If I have the privilege of bringing a character to life through a physical victory; there is something supremely magical and fulfilling for me during that process. I specialize in many fighting styles; with a heavy concentration in sword and weapon work…”(read more)
Sarah Deakins
“I set about writing with more purpose, to have more control over the stories I was putting out into the world and what I was contributing to it. I wrote a play and hired all my friends and we set about telling the stories that excited us…”(read more)
Taryn O’Neill
“What I can now say is that my goal is to create content, whether it be a blog post or a feature film, that explores my deep thoughts about mankind and its future, addressing the uncertainty we all feel while highlighting the underlying connection between us. (Entanglement is my favorite physics topic!) We, as a species, are entering a paradigm shift that we are ill equipped to handle…”(read more)
