The BraveMaker Podcast

Another great interview from correspondent IRVING RUAN! @irvingruan  Claire  Friedman is a staff writer on Showtime’s Desus & Mero. Previously  she wrote for Saturday Night Live, in which she won a Peabody award for  as well as an Emmy nomination. Her comedy has been published in the New  Yorker, McSweeney’s, and The Harvard Lampoon. Claire  was born and raised in New York City. She attended Hunter College High  School, Harvard College, and Harvard Business School. She lives on the  Upper West Side, where she spends her free afternoons wandering through  Zabar’s in a full sweatsuit. Website: www.clairefriedman.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/clairegfriedman  Instagram: @clairegfriedman Desus & Mero Season 2 premieres on Showtime February 3rd. SNL's "This Is U.S." sketch: https://www.metatube.com/en/videos/404138/SNL-This-Is-U-S Claire's piece in The New Yorker, "Deleting Instagram, Installing Instagram: The Vicious Cycle": https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/deleting-instagram-installing-instagram-the-vicious-circle

Joy Elizabeth Hoover is MAKING CHANGE +  CUPCAKES IN LAS VEGAS.  From her  INSTAGRAM:  She's a life + mama founder + ceo | @cupcakegirlsorg @localforall podcast | @humanswhogiveashit ambassador | @lululemon social impact coach 👇🏼 joyhoover.com

Interviewed by BraveMaker correspondent IRVING RUAN (listen to his BraveMaker interview ep 20) https://twitter.com/irvingruan https://www.instagram.com/irvingruan/ Caitlin Kunkel is a writer and satirist. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, The New Yorker, McSweeney's, among others, and she's a co-founder of the Satire and Humor Festival as well as The Belladonna Comedy. Along with the other Belladonna editors, in 2018 she published the gift book, "New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay." She created the online satire program for The Second City and teaches and gives talks around the world. Caitlin's Website: www.caitlinkunkel.com Satire and Humor Festival: www.satireandhumor.com The Belladonna Comedy Publication: www.thebelladonnacomedy.com New Erotica for Feminists: www.neweroticaforfeminists.com The Second City - Writing Satire for the Internet: www.secondcity.com/classes/chicago/online-writing-satire-for-the-internet-2020/ Class Instructors: Riane Konc: www.rianekonc.com Brooke Preston: www.brookeprestoncomedy.com

You might know him from playing YOUNG/TEEN RANDALL PEARSON on NBC's "This is Us" But he also stars in the new film directed by R.J. Daniel Hannah called:  Miss Virginia starring UZO ADUBA (out now).  https://www.missvirginiamovie.com/ Follow him on IG https://www.instagram.com/nilesfitch/ This guy is a rising start. Catch him on a new film March 2020 on Disney+. Listen to find out more. 

His film starring Uzo Aduba + Niles Fitch + Matthew Modine is coming to BraveMaker 12/5/19! Get tix: bravemissvirginia.eventbrite.com Follow him on IG https://www.instagram.com/rjdanielhanna/ Twitter https://twitter.com/rjdanielhanna

Tony met Gianmarco in NYC! Follow this funny guy with a great ITALIAN name: IG: https://www.instagram.com/gianmarcosoresi/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GianmarcoSoresi

And he won a SAG AWARD for BEST STUNTS.  Cool story. Never give up. Wakanda forever.  Mark is also a TARGET MODEL + RECENTLY was seen playing Basketball in a scene on SHAMELESS.  Find him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/marquillis33/ Twitter https://twitter.com/marquillis33

Currently  (as of Nov 2019) Sullivan is in NYC in SLAVE PLAY but he's originally from the Bay Area! You can also find him on: Wu Tang: An American Saga. Follow him on the Socials:  Twitter https://twitter.com/_SullyJones  + https://twitter.com/SlavePlayBway Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_sullivanjones_/  + https://www.instagram.com/slaveplaybway/

Friendly, witty and British--this is: Adam Campbell.  You might have seen him on a show called GREAT NEWS playing Greg, the young executive producer of the cable news show "The Breakdown."  It did two seasons on NBC and now can be streamed on Netflix.  Or you might have seen him in an episode of Drunk History.  Or you might have met him at the SAG AWARDS (That was me, Tony).  He's now voicing a character in the new animated film I'm working on called: PICCOLO.  Enjoy our conversation.  Adam tweets to his six friends every leap year (let's help him grow his followers).  https://twitter.com/AdamCampbelly

From LOS ANGELES-- Tony and Loretta have worked together before on 1440 and Counting and Neighbor (Tony's two short films available on Amazon Prime). While on set recording voice-over for a new animated project called PICCOLO, they sat down and chatted about Loretta's career from four years on Broadway in Dream Girls, to winning in an Emmy for Grey's Anatomy as well her live performance in Los Angeles happening this week. They also reflected on their first meeting at the airport in San Francisco.  Loretta is the best.  Follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lodivadevine/ And binge her show FAMILY REUNION ON NETFLIX or catch her on this season of Black-ish on ABC. 

Actress Izabella Alvarez is a rising Latina star (according to the LA Times).  She's had roles in: Shameless.  Westworld. Splitting Up Together (and more)... AND had a leading role in one of BraveMaker's favorite feature films: COLLISIONS! Now she's voicing the lead character RONNIE ANNE SANTIAGO in Nickelodeon's THE CASAGRANDES. (and she's only 15 years old!).  Congratulations to this brave talent! Find her on all the socials: https://www.instagram.com/izabellaalvarez/ https://twitter.com/izabellaalvarez Her show: https://www.instagram.com/thecasagrandes/

Liz Manashil is straight up filmmaker GOLD.  Podcast co-host of MAKING MOVIES IS HARD + writer/director of two feature films: Bread and Butter and now Speed of Life (screening Thursday November 14th in Redwood City)--(and new mom of baby boy)--- Liz Keeps it real. Take a listen to her process of making micro-budget films, casting diverse body shapes, and creating a canon of 5-6 films she's proud of (before she dies!).  Tickets here to see her DAVID BOWIE inspired sci-film in Redwood City: https://bravespeedoflifemaker.eventbrite.com SPEED OF LIFE IG https://www.instagram.com/lizmanashil/ Twitter https://twitter.com/LizManashil

Producer of the now released film: JINN + upcoming HOSEA http://www.azuspeak.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/azuspeak/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/azuspeak

They say write what you know. I (Tony) know the church world. I've had this unique perspective being both an ordained pastor and filmmaker. I love it and I often roll my eyes at it. I have to poke fun at myself and the institution that I have been a part of for most of my life. It formed me and messed me up. We have good hearts, but we are also ridiculously stubborn, privileged, irrelevant, offensive, racist, power hungry, awkward and down right wrong. (If we would only admit it we might be able to do more good in the world, which is why most of us pastors get into the "biz" to begin with. Oh well, it's been good fodder for my screenwriting. I still believe in the church and value my faith in God...but I also think we need to laugh and pick it apart. So...Here ya go.  Let me know what you think. Want to help me produce it?  Email tony@bravemaker.com

From BraveMaker correspondent Irving Ruan: I had a super energizing interview with Jeremy. We talked about his  experience at art school, how much he struggled to make ends meet as an  artist when he first moved to New York (e.g. sitting on top of a milk  crate and using a table left on the sidewalk for his studio), and his  beginnings submitting cartoons to The New Yorker magazine. In  short, we went deep on the artistic journey and how he dealt with an  avalanche of rejections.  His Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremywins His Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jeremywins His website: https://www.jeremywinslife.com His Waldo cartoon that we talked about at the end: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw9ryh_ncPK/

Sensitive + Strong Content! Listeners strongly cautioned.  Thank you to filmmakers Liza Meak + Kathryn Basiji: The film: https://edgeofsuccessmovie.com/ (click above for resources and discussion guides). Check out these partner organizations! SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFE-LINE: 1-800-273-TALK [8255] https://star-vista.org/ https://www.northmarincs.org/ https://www.nami.org/

Daniel is a filmmaker exploring  sexual identity , gender formation + religion in his newest film. We will host https://www.fortheyknow.org/ in October 2019. Find Dan on all the Social Medias: https://www.instagram.com/fortheyknowmovie/ https://www.facebook.com/FTKNWTD https://twitter.com/dogooderdan FILM SCREENINGS:  Tuesday 10/15/19 in Novato Ca Wednesday 10/16/19 Redwood City CA Tickets here: www.bravemaker.org

Actor Jesse Garcia is on the podcast. Not only did he star in one of our BraveMaker film DARLINGS---the feature screening of Collisions. He's starred in and led other TV shows like Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (and you'll be seeing a lot of Jesse in 2020 on certain amount of unannounced streaming shows! Stay Tuned)---but he acted in a BROADWAY PRODUCTION of Pee-wee Herman's show! If you listen in on this episode--you'll hear podcast host Tony Gapastione try to do his best impression of PeeWee's iconic laugh, (which sounds a lot like Tony's real laugh). 🤣 Follow Jesse on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessejohngarcia/ Watch Jesse's short film THE PRICE WE PAY https://vimeo.com/75692429

Evan is our resident photographer, web designer + BraveMaker! A very passionate, committed and driven guy...and he's a HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT--take a listen to his story and see what motivates him! Looking to get odd jobs done around your house? Need some extra labor for moving or landscaping from a non-professional yet hardworking student? Want to connect with teens and help them find work? He's got a solution for you.  https://www.instagram.com/evanajuria/ https://www.grindstoneapp.com/

Austin plays HAMILTON! What a great humble guy! Check out his story and follow him in IG! https://www.instagram.com/austinscott93/

https://www.youtube.com/user/kvoncomedy This guy! He's funny and generous. Free tickets to the first 20 people who reach out to him.  https://www.instagram.com/kvoncomedy/ ==== Wanna follow our programmer and assitant director RHOBERTINO? https://www.instagram.com/rh0b3rt1n0/ Join us OCT 16th for an amazing documentary FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO https://www.fortheyknow.org/ https://bravemakerfortheyknownot.eventbrite.com

Rebekah + Tony talk about the process of getting his feature film THE THORNS WE LIVE WITH of the ground.  In this podcast we share a 22 minute dramatic (table read) reading with actors. Please note there is a sensitive scene that deals with suicide and adult language.  For more information on the film or to invest: https://www.bravemaker.com/thorns

The unconventional route to comedy and creative writing. http://www.irvingruan.com/ https://twitter.com/irvingruan https://www.instagram.com/irvingruan/ https://www.instagram.com/andieyehoney/ Short film: ANDI Starring Irving as the AGENT.  https://vimeo.com/321628034

Another interview with our BraveMaker podcast correspondent Jon Fusco who sat down with RIVER GALLO. River [pronouns he/his] is a GLAAD award-winning Salvadoran-American filmmaker, actor, writer, model and intersex advocate with interACT. His work explores the dynamics of personal and confessionary storytelling, and media's healing abilities through re-envisioning minority narratives. He is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Experimental Theatre Wing and the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts MFA program.  "Ponyboi," his USC thesis which he wrote, co-directed, and acted in, is the first narrative film created by and starring an out intersex person in the history of cinema---produced by Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson. This year River received the ‘Rising Star Award’ at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards. He was named one of the “Most Exciting Queer People to Follow in 2019” by Out Magazine and made PAPER Magazine’s list of “100 People Taking Over 2019”.  https://www.rivergallo.com https://www.instagram.com/rivergallo/

Welcome Jon Fusco who joins the BraveMaker team as podcast correspondent! Nick Borenstein: http://www.nickborenstein.com/ Nick is a writer, director + dancer. 

He's known as Detective Alex Sanchez (#DetectiveHottie) in CBS' Bold + The Beautiful but he's also my (Tony) buddy.  Enjoy our chat from TWIST (cafe) in Los Angeles (Hancock Park).  Follow him on INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/jeremyrayvaldez/ YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/user/JeremyRayValdez TWITTER https://twitter.com/JeremyRayValdez

During a visit to Spain, Rebekah sits down with friend, YouTuber, & Content Creator Katya Constantine.  They talk of Katya's experience growing up in Spain, finding her Niche, finding the power of YOU (being yourself), shutting down your negative voice, and all about being real with procrastination and anxiety.  Follow Katya on her social media channels:  Instagram and Twitter: - kat_constantine Youtube: Katya Constantine https://www.youtube.com/user/MissxXxMannequin/videos

Teenager.  Singer. Songwriter. Actress. BraveMaker Music on SPOTIFY Instagram SUMMER LOVE Music Video Behind the Scenes of SUMMER LOVE

Well, our first ever SUMMER FILM FEST is complete! Now, let's recap! A few references: On the Corner of Ego + Desire film by Alex Ferrari Dragon Theatre GENDER SHORT PLAYS Melanie Victor's Actor's Lounge Podcast www.bravemaker.com/donate to DOUBLE your donations!

This guy.  Just make your films. No excuses.  https://indiefilmhustle.com/

https://endofthedayfilm.com/ We could have called this segment FILMMAKERS IN CARS TALKING ABOUT MOVIES. Listen to find out why. Florida filmmaker Kevin O'Brien + Tony Gapastione chat about the making of At the End of the Day, Screening SUNDAY JUNE 2nd 10am at Century 20 theater. Kevin calls his film a story about the tension between the LGBTQ+ community and the evangelical church. A very BRAVE film. A very BRAVE filmmaker.  Follow KEVIN on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/imkevinob/

Tricia not only survived cancer but made a movie about it. When her stage 4 breast cancer metastasized  to her brain she was faced with even more obstacles to overcome. She wanted to survive and she also wanted to become a parent with her husband Matt. Once she started pursuing that dream through surrogacy she had to answer the question: what if she wasn't around to meet her child? So she started filming the journey and rest is history. Love Always, Mom is a love story to an unborn child.  We hosted Tricia and her film Monday May 13th, 2019. But this interview was recorded December 2018.  Say hi on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysmomthemovie/ Link for the film and screenings https://linktr.ee/lovealwaysmomthemovie ==== THE BRAVEMAKER FILM FEST KICKS OFF THIS FRIDAY MAY 31ST, 2019! TICKETS HERE: https://www.bravemaker.com/

Welcome JON FUSCO to the BraveMaker family. Jon's debut short film THE GUY will premiere on the west coast with us on June 2nd at 630pm in the Redwood City, Ca, Century 20 theater. Tickets here. Recorded January 2019 in the cold of Sundance,  Park City Utah, Jon and Tony dish on all things filmmaking, festivals and podcasting.  Check out Jon's FILM articles  Indie Wire See the kickstarter to THE GUY; his film here. Follow him on IG https://www.instagram.com/jimscam/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jim_jon_jim/ 3 Short film podcasts  by JON How to make a short pod 2 production Editing

Episode 9 is an adult conversation. NSFW or young children.  Diana Kelly, author of THE SKY TURNED GREEN AND THE GRASS TURNED BLUE. DIANE'S STORY.  About the Story: When Diane’s lover and friend, Jack, comes out  seven years into their relationship expressing his well-kept secret  desire to transition from male to female, Diane’s world turns upside  down.  With little information to help answer the question ‘do I stay or  do I go’ Diane searches for direction on her own. Navigating the murky  waters of the unknown that accompany the challenges of Jack’s changing  persona, she is guided by love, loyalty, and a willingness to  sacrifice.  In this true story, Diane  provides  her personal and intimate view into gay the lesbian community in her attempt to gauge what impact  Jack’s changes might have to their relationship and to her own authentic self. https://greenskypublishing.com/dianakellyauthor/ https://www.instagram.com/dianakellyauthor/ https://twitter.com/greenskysf https://www.facebook.com/greensky.sf

Race + gender biases. We all have them but what do we do about them? https://www.biasfilm.com/ We were honored to host a San Francisco filmmaker and her film that challenges us to confront our hidden biases and understand what we risk when we follow our gut. Through exposing her own  biases, award-winning documentary filmmaker Robin Hauser highlights  the nature of implicit bias, the grip it holds on our social and  professional lives, and what it will take to induce change. After the film we had a dialogue with leaders who are also doing work in the race space:  Ana Avendaño + Andre Henry (full interview with him on ep 7).  You will also meet BraveMaker's first FISCAL SPONSEE Samah Damanhoori who is making an animated film on her experience of liberation from her oppressive past. More on that soon. 

Anti-racist educator, writer, and activist ANDRE HENRY joins the BraveMaker PODCAST.  Find him on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theandrehenry/ Dig in, listen and get activated.  Want to sign up for Andre's HOPE AND HARD PILLS?  http://www.andrerhenry.com/ Want to become a patron of his work and financially support him?  https://www.patreon.com/hopeandhardpills

The  second interview of our Spain sessions with multimedia artist and designer Diptee Thapa.  Join us as we talk about the power of connection  and collaboration, her life as a spiritual teacher, using obstacles to increase creativity and so much more.  Diptee https://www.instagram.com/diptee2018/ http://diptee-thapa.com/ Esa's Photography isopahkalaphotography.com ENJOY MUSIC BY SMXF (in our outro!) https://soundcloud.com/smxf Have original music to share? Email your selections to podcast@bravemaker.com and we'll find a way to promote you!

Our first ever PODCAST recorded LIVE WITH AN AUDIENCE... at BOX in Redwood City, Ca.  NOTES & links from our panelists in this conversation : Nicolas Jara https://www.nicolasjara.com/guardian-2018 Matt Nightingale https://www.instagram.com/mattnightingale/ Matt's TEDx Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHJs04-YIYc Erin Ashford: Photographer https://www.instagram.com/erinash/ San Mateo Pride Center https://sanmateopride.org/ Join us for our next event MARCH 25, 2019. BIAS DOCUMENTARY at Century 20, RWC. https://www.bravemaker.com/events/ *Suicide prevention LIFELINE* 1-800-273-8255

Rebekah went to Spain for three weeks and this is the first of her interviews. Enjoy a conversation with Sheena Karegi and the  ups, downs and changes of a designer's life. Go behind the scenes and hear how she BRAVELY rediscovered her creativity.  https://www.instagram.com/_karegi/ https://www.instagram.com/kali_by_karegi/ ENJOY MUSIC BY CLOUD5 (in our outro!) https://www.instagram.com/andrew_lam/ https://www.instagram.com/sur.nate/ Have original music to share? Email your selections to podcast@bravemaker.com and we'll find a way to promote you!

500 Miles. 2 best friends. 1 wheelchair.  That is I'LL PUSH YOU an incredible documentary by filmmakers Terry Parish and Chris Karcher. This interview co-director Terry Parish came to the BraveMaker office before our monthly screening to share about his journey. For more on Terry's creative agency see:  http://www.emota.com/#/ For more on the film or to order: Use code: BraveMaker for a discount.  https://www.illpushyou.com/ Oh ... What are the odds that when we screen a film set in SPAIN Rebekah would actually BE IN SPAIN. Take a listen! PS. February film screening is FEBRUARY 22ND 7PM IN REDWOOD CITY at Box Inc! Live music and LIVE PODCAST RECORDING with special guest Matt Nightingale and Director Nicolas Jara screening his film GUARDIAN. This event will feature an in-depth LGBTQ+ discussion. It is sure to be an eye-opening event.  https://bravemakerfeb2019.eventbrite.com

Storytellers.  Filmmakers.  Drive-thru tellers.  Tony & Rebekah interview each other and share their creative journeys.  Rebekah on IG https://www.instagram.com/ramosa_kah/ Tony on IG https://www.instagram.com/tonygapastione/ Questions, comments, or composed music? email: podcast@bravemaker.com Post/respond on social with: #bravemakerpodcast JANUARY 19TH FILM SCREENING IN REDWOOD CITY 2019 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bravemaker-january-feature-film-screening-ill-push-you-tickets-53775618322 BraveMaker video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWWLv6LemIg&feature=youtu.be

The very first episode of the BraveMaker podcast hosted by Tony Gapastione & Rebekah Amosah. Scripts, stories & conversations with creators. Filmmaker Richard Levien won the audience award at the Mill Valley Film Festival October 2018 with his touching coming of age immigration story: Collisions. His film stars Jesse Garcia (currently filming Netflix's Narcos: Mexico and the El Rey Network's From Dusk Til Dawn) and Ana de la Reguera (also of TV shows like Narcos, Amazon's Goliath and Power). He had all star cast of two amazing children as well. Listen in to hear the journey of bravely making this movie and telling this story. He did a private screening for BraveMaker on 12/17/18 in Redwood City. https://www.instagram.com/CollisionsMovie/ https://twitter.com/CollisionsMovie https://www.facebook.com/CollisionsMovie http://collisionsmovie.com/