Rex Sikes' Movie Beat
By Rex Sikes
Producer/Actor Rex Steven Sikes talks with celebrities, film makers, and friends about how to make movies and television. Rex Sikes' Movie Beat is a Master Class in film & Tv making. Listen in as film & TV personalities discuss their goals, challenges and surprises from conception to finished product. Rex will take you inside and behind the scenes on REX SIKES' MOVIE BEAT. So whether you are a film maker or a fan you will enjoy these conversations. Visit: the official REX SIKES' MOVIE BEAT http://www.rexsikes.com
Rex Sikes' Movie BeatMay 26, 2020
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01:59:59
Rex Sikes Movie Beat talks with writer/producer Fred Fox Jr
Fred Fox Jr, writer/producer wrote spec script for All In The Family with friend Gary Shandling. New Year’s Eve 1975 Fred got a call from Cindy Williams saying she was going to be on a new show, Laverne and Shirley. She asked if he wanted to be her gopher and an apprentice writer. Fred met Garry Marshall and was offered the job that started his lucky run in the sitcom world.
He spent a year on Laverne and Shirley, seven on Happy Days as a writer/producer and co-show runner with Brian Levant the last two seasons. Fred wrote the infamous Hollywood III episode that ended up starting the “Jump The Shark” phenomenon. The term got into the Oxford Dictionary of English and is still used today.
He was on Happy Days when Robin Williams made his sitcom debut in 1978 on the Mork From Ork episode where at the run through blew everyone away. Guest actors aren’t supposed to adlib but Robin did and lef everyone incredulous. That appearance and one other led to the hit series Mork and Mindy and his incredible career.
After Happy Days, Fred wrote and produced for Webster, It’s Your Move, He’s The Mayor and The New Leave It To Beaver. It 1988 he co-created My Secret Identity with Brian Levant, a half hour comedy/action, starring Jerry O’Connell and Derek McGrath, which won an International Emmy for Outstanding Program For Children and Young Adults. In 1990 he joined the hit show Family Matters as a writer/co-executive producer for eight seasons.
Fred has acted and written songs for television He has also scripted films, doing a rewrite on The Flintstones, directed by Brian Levant and has cowrote with Dave Duclon, Gary Menteer and Steve Langford Too Good To Be True for Ned Tanen. Ned produced The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles and as President of Universal greenlit American Grafitti.
He stays busy with speaking engagements and working on television and film projects.
He spent a year on Laverne and Shirley, seven on Happy Days as a writer/producer and co-show runner with Brian Levant the last two seasons. Fred wrote the infamous Hollywood III episode that ended up starting the “Jump The Shark” phenomenon. The term got into the Oxford Dictionary of English and is still used today.
He was on Happy Days when Robin Williams made his sitcom debut in 1978 on the Mork From Ork episode where at the run through blew everyone away. Guest actors aren’t supposed to adlib but Robin did and lef everyone incredulous. That appearance and one other led to the hit series Mork and Mindy and his incredible career.
After Happy Days, Fred wrote and produced for Webster, It’s Your Move, He’s The Mayor and The New Leave It To Beaver. It 1988 he co-created My Secret Identity with Brian Levant, a half hour comedy/action, starring Jerry O’Connell and Derek McGrath, which won an International Emmy for Outstanding Program For Children and Young Adults. In 1990 he joined the hit show Family Matters as a writer/co-executive producer for eight seasons.
Fred has acted and written songs for television He has also scripted films, doing a rewrite on The Flintstones, directed by Brian Levant and has cowrote with Dave Duclon, Gary Menteer and Steve Langford Too Good To Be True for Ned Tanen. Ned produced The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles and as President of Universal greenlit American Grafitti.
He stays busy with speaking engagements and working on television and film projects.
May 26, 202001:59:59
Rex Sikes Movie Beat talks with writer/producer Fred Fox
Fred Fox Jr, writer/producer wrote spec script for All In The Family with friend Gary Shandling. New Year’s Eve 1975 Fred got a call from Cindy Williams saying she was going to be on a new show, Laverne and Shirley. She asked if he wanted to be her gopher and an apprentice writer. Fred met Garry Marshall and was offered the job that started his lucky run in the sitcom world.
He spent a year on Laverne and Shirley, seven on Happy Days as a writer/producer and co-show runner with Brian Levant the last two seasons. Fred wrote the infamous Hollywood III episode that ended up starting the “Jump The Shark” phenomenon. The term got into the Oxford Dictionary of English and is still used today.
He was on Happy Days when Robin Williams made his sitcom debut in 1978 on the Mork From Ork episode where at the run through blew everyone away. Guest actors aren’t supposed to adlib but Robin did and lef everyone incredulous. That appearance and one other led to the hit series Mork and Mindy and his incredible career.
After Happy Days, Fred wrote and produced for Webster, It’s Your Move, He’s The Mayor and The New Leave It To Beaver. It 1988 he co-created My Secret Identity with Brian Levant, a half hour comedy/action, starring Jerry O’Connell and Derek McGrath, which won an International Emmy for Outstanding Program For Children and Young Adults. In 1990 he joined the hit show Family Matters as a writer/co-executive producer for eight seasons.
Fred has acted and written songs for television He has also scripted films, doing a rewrite on The Flintstones, directed by Brian Levant and has cowrote with Dave Duclon, Gary Menteer and Steve Langford Too Good To Be True for Ned Tanen. Ned produced The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles and as President of Universal greenlit American Grafitti.
He stays busy with speaking engagements and working on television and film projects.
He spent a year on Laverne and Shirley, seven on Happy Days as a writer/producer and co-show runner with Brian Levant the last two seasons. Fred wrote the infamous Hollywood III episode that ended up starting the “Jump The Shark” phenomenon. The term got into the Oxford Dictionary of English and is still used today.
He was on Happy Days when Robin Williams made his sitcom debut in 1978 on the Mork From Ork episode where at the run through blew everyone away. Guest actors aren’t supposed to adlib but Robin did and lef everyone incredulous. That appearance and one other led to the hit series Mork and Mindy and his incredible career.
After Happy Days, Fred wrote and produced for Webster, It’s Your Move, He’s The Mayor and The New Leave It To Beaver. It 1988 he co-created My Secret Identity with Brian Levant, a half hour comedy/action, starring Jerry O’Connell and Derek McGrath, which won an International Emmy for Outstanding Program For Children and Young Adults. In 1990 he joined the hit show Family Matters as a writer/co-executive producer for eight seasons.
Fred has acted and written songs for television He has also scripted films, doing a rewrite on The Flintstones, directed by Brian Levant and has cowrote with Dave Duclon, Gary Menteer and Steve Langford Too Good To Be True for Ned Tanen. Ned produced The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles and as President of Universal greenlit American Grafitti.
He stays busy with speaking engagements and working on television and film projects.
May 26, 202019:15
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Chats With Director Josh Brandon
Joshua Brandon, director. In his early 20s, Josh ran a theatre company with his cousin Steven known as CANNED LAUGHTER, which specialized in producing and directing world-renowned plays and musicals. In 2008, after less than two years in the industry, Josh and Steven sold a TV pilot to ABC Family called SINGLE GIRL THEORY. They worked as staff writers on CBS’s FRIEND ME before going their separate ways so Steven could concentrate on comedy and Josh on one hour drama and sci-fi. Josh wrote for SyFy's Haven in its last two seasons bringing back fan-favorite character William played by Eureka’s Colin Ferguson who'd later star in Josh’s feature directorial debut.
After Haven, Josh wrote on Fox’s Houdini & Doyle for showrunner David Hoselton and David Shore. This show was a perfect fit for Josh, who counts magic among his hobbies. Josh worked with stars Stephen Mangan, Michael Weston, Rebecca Liddiard, Tim McInnerny and Emily Hampshire. Josh continues to work, developing projects with numerous producers and showrunners, including Rescue Me showrunner Peter Tolan, Shaftesbury Films, and Star Trek’s Roddenberry Entertainment, where he serves in an ongoing capacity as a development consultant.
In 2019, Josh branched out into directing, writing and directing the comedy short ALEXA, which is currently on the festival circuit. ALEXA stars Jonathan Sadowski, Rachel Nichols, Reggie Brown, and Angie Sims.
In 2019, Josh wrote and directed his first feature film, a psychological drama titled A THOUSAND LITTLE CUTS, starring Rebecca Liddiard, and Marina Sirtis of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame. Peter Foldy produced A Thousand Little Cuts.
May 19, 202002:00:03
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats with Director Todd Robinson of 'The Last Full Measure
Writer Director Todd Robinson’s films often explore the boundaries of the human condition as evidenced by his submarine thriller “Phantom”, Ridley Scott's epic, “White Squall” which he wrote and produced and now The Last Full Measure.
Sidney Sherman is the founder/CEO of Rosa Entertainment an indie film/television production & management co. He's produced both narrative and documentary features and shorts. He co-produced "Lonely Hearts" written and directed by Todd.
Byron Werner, Director of Photography has shot a massive collection of work over 20 years in feature films, short films, music videos, and commercials. He's DP on Robinson’s Phantom and The Last Full Measure. Byron’s work in music videos includes Coldplay, David Grohl/FooFighters, Bruno Mars, The 1975, ELO, Pharrell, The Killers and more.
Philip Klein’s music has been heard in film and TV projects for Sony, Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, ABC and CBS. Recent projects include Todd’s “The Last Full Measure” and the upcoming Sony Pictures Animation “Wish Dragon”. Philip also penned 18 new orchestral arrangements for Aerosmith’s current Las Vegas residency, “Deuces Are Wild.” He is also an active orchestrator.
Travis Aaron Wade is a US Marine veteran with a 20 year career in the movie biz. He's acted in over 30 projects, and has discovered his true passion lies in producing. He spends his time helping people develop their intellectual property and getting it to the big screen with his new company, iPitch cofounded with Vicki Bartle.
John Savage, with over 236 credits to his name is best known for The Deer Hunter, The Onion Field, Hair, Salvador, and TV's Goliath, Twin Peaks and Dark Angel
May 15, 202002:00:38
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Chats With Christopher Lockhart On Writer's Craft
Christopher Lockhart is a Hollywood executive, teacher and producer with over 30 years of industry experience. Chris worked as Story Editor at ICM, the William Morris Agency and WME. Chris worked with legendary talent agent Ed Limato helping to find projects for actors such as Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Steve Martin, Richard Gere, Michelle Pfeiffer, Liam Neeson, Claire Danes, Robert Downey Jr.and many others.
He's consulted on hundreds of screenplays with studio executives, producers and writers from around the world. He's consulted on THE BIRTH OF A NATION and DREAMLAND starring Gary Oldman. He estimates he's read over 60,000 screenplays. As a producer, Chris set up the noir thriller CROOKED CREEK, and A RHINESTONE ALIBI at Paramount. He produced THE COLLECTOR, and sequel THE COLLECTION which opened in the top 10 U.S. box-office.
Chris wrote and produce the award winning documentary MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS which Oprah Winfrey Network acquired. Chris has taught screenwriting at UCLA, LA Valley College, and is an adjunct professor at National University's Screenwriting Program. He lectures at conferences around the world.
His article “I Wrote a 120 Page Script but Can’t Write a Logline: The Construction of a Logline” has become the de facto reference on the subject and is used in film schools across the globe. His writing workshop “The Inside Pitch” was televised in Los Angeles and earned him an Emmy nomination.
Chris is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Writers Guild and The Producers Guild. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more!
He's consulted on hundreds of screenplays with studio executives, producers and writers from around the world. He's consulted on THE BIRTH OF A NATION and DREAMLAND starring Gary Oldman. He estimates he's read over 60,000 screenplays. As a producer, Chris set up the noir thriller CROOKED CREEK, and A RHINESTONE ALIBI at Paramount. He produced THE COLLECTOR, and sequel THE COLLECTION which opened in the top 10 U.S. box-office.
Chris wrote and produce the award winning documentary MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS which Oprah Winfrey Network acquired. Chris has taught screenwriting at UCLA, LA Valley College, and is an adjunct professor at National University's Screenwriting Program. He lectures at conferences around the world.
His article “I Wrote a 120 Page Script but Can’t Write a Logline: The Construction of a Logline” has become the de facto reference on the subject and is used in film schools across the globe. His writing workshop “The Inside Pitch” was televised in Los Angeles and earned him an Emmy nomination.
Chris is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, The Writers Guild and The Producers Guild. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more!
May 07, 202001:57:57
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats with Director Michael Feifer CALL IN
Michael Feifer grew up in a show biz family. His father was Head of Television Research for 20th Century Fox in the late 60's and 70's. After graduating college Mike decided to take advantage of the fact that his father was producing independent films. After working on only three projects, at twenty-four Mike produced his first feature.
Eventually, Mike began producing films for others and has now produced more than seventy-five feature films. When a director dropped out of a film he was producing, he finally got his shot to direct. The film was called Lethal Eviction and it starred Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club).
His ability to move his crew quickly and make concise decisions on set allow Mike to get an incredible amount of set-ups shot per day. Mike is considered an actor's director because of his innate ability to collaborate with his talent yet lead them. But, he's also considered a producer's director due to his ability to bring in films on budget, on-time, and with amazing production quality.
Mike has directed stars such as Val Kilmer, Brittany Murphy, Tom Arnold, Tom Skerritt, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more. He has worked in a producing and assistant-directing capacity with stars such as Al Pacino, Lorraine Bracco, and Danny Glover.
Since directing that first feature, Mike has gone on to direct many more films in a wide variety of genres from horror to thriller to drama to comedy. His films are seen regularly on channels such as Lifetime, Hallmark, ION, Uplift TV, and more. His films are sold in every territory throughout the world.
Eventually, Mike began producing films for others and has now produced more than seventy-five feature films. When a director dropped out of a film he was producing, he finally got his shot to direct. The film was called Lethal Eviction and it starred Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club).
His ability to move his crew quickly and make concise decisions on set allow Mike to get an incredible amount of set-ups shot per day. Mike is considered an actor's director because of his innate ability to collaborate with his talent yet lead them. But, he's also considered a producer's director due to his ability to bring in films on budget, on-time, and with amazing production quality.
Mike has directed stars such as Val Kilmer, Brittany Murphy, Tom Arnold, Tom Skerritt, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more. He has worked in a producing and assistant-directing capacity with stars such as Al Pacino, Lorraine Bracco, and Danny Glover.
Since directing that first feature, Mike has gone on to direct many more films in a wide variety of genres from horror to thriller to drama to comedy. His films are seen regularly on channels such as Lifetime, Hallmark, ION, Uplift TV, and more. His films are sold in every territory throughout the world.
May 06, 202001:59:15
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats with Director David Winning
Director David Winning enjoys 38 features, 29 series, and over 150 TV credits. Known for Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, MGM’s Stargate: Atlantis, ABC’s Dinotopia and HBO's Exception to The Rule, starring Kim Cattrall, Sean Young and Eric McCormack. He's a proven and prolific film and TV director in virtually all genres.
He began making movies at the age of ten. He made his first short Sequence at 18, which he became 1st feature film STORM in 1983. At 27, he directed on Friday the 13th: The Series for Paramount; for this TV debut he received 3 Canadian Emmy Award nominations. His 2nd feature Killer Image followed in 1992 starring Michael Ironside and M. Emmet Walsh.
The next 3 decades he directed more movies and TV, over twenty-five series from kid’s shows to westerns to sci-fi. M. Night Shyamalan cited Winning’s episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark: The Tale of the Dream Girl, as inspiration for The Sixth Sense. His episodic work's received international awards including 24 1st places at the Houston Film Festival, a Gold Hugo and 2 Silver Hugos in Chicago, 4 national Gemini Screen Award nominations for Best Director/Dramatic Series. He's received over 80 international awards. In 2002 he received a National award from the DGA for outstanding achievement in TV drama.
90’s saw him arriving in LA, to directe the hit sequel TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE the 4th highest selling DVD that summer. He’s directed many stars including: Ryan Gosling, Patrick Duffy, Peter Strauss, William Devane, Markie Post, Lance Henriksen, Frederic Forrest, Jason Connery, Carl Weathers, Margot Kidder, Michael Sarrazin, Bruce Boxleitner, Martin Mull, Kevin Sorbo, Robert Englund and Bruce Dern. He helmed six episodes SYFY's NETFLIX hit vampire series VAN HELSING, including the 3rd Season Finale and opening the 4th season 2020.
He began making movies at the age of ten. He made his first short Sequence at 18, which he became 1st feature film STORM in 1983. At 27, he directed on Friday the 13th: The Series for Paramount; for this TV debut he received 3 Canadian Emmy Award nominations. His 2nd feature Killer Image followed in 1992 starring Michael Ironside and M. Emmet Walsh.
The next 3 decades he directed more movies and TV, over twenty-five series from kid’s shows to westerns to sci-fi. M. Night Shyamalan cited Winning’s episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark: The Tale of the Dream Girl, as inspiration for The Sixth Sense. His episodic work's received international awards including 24 1st places at the Houston Film Festival, a Gold Hugo and 2 Silver Hugos in Chicago, 4 national Gemini Screen Award nominations for Best Director/Dramatic Series. He's received over 80 international awards. In 2002 he received a National award from the DGA for outstanding achievement in TV drama.
90’s saw him arriving in LA, to directe the hit sequel TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE the 4th highest selling DVD that summer. He’s directed many stars including: Ryan Gosling, Patrick Duffy, Peter Strauss, William Devane, Markie Post, Lance Henriksen, Frederic Forrest, Jason Connery, Carl Weathers, Margot Kidder, Michael Sarrazin, Bruce Boxleitner, Martin Mull, Kevin Sorbo, Robert Englund and Bruce Dern. He helmed six episodes SYFY's NETFLIX hit vampire series VAN HELSING, including the 3rd Season Finale and opening the 4th season 2020.
Apr 30, 202001:54:01
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats With Director Peter Foldy
Hot Moves helped established Peter Foldy as a writer and before long he also began directing feature films, working with stars such as Paul Rudd, Beverly D'Angelo, Academy Award winner, Louise Fletcher and Eugene Levy among many others.
His 2018 feature, Love on Repeat, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. In 2019 he also produced 2 films, Finding Hannah, directed by legendary director, Sidney Furie, and A Thousand Little Cuts directed by Josh Brandon.
Foldy is developing several new film projects for 2020 and has recently returned to his musical roots with the release of a 10 track CD entitled Nine Lives as well as a new single, Toxic World. Both projects earned strong reviews and airplay in the US, Canada and beyond.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, Peter spent his formative years in Sydney, Australia. After a family move to Toronto, Foldy enrolled in film school, supporting himself by playing music at night with a rock & roll band. When a record company heard some of his original songs, Foldy was signed to a record deal and his first single, Bondi Junction went to Number One on the Canadian charts.
Foldy was soon lured by Capitol/EMI where two more top ten hits followed. He toured Canada, opening for acts such as The Hollies as well as headlining his own shows backed by a seven-piece band.
Arriving in Los Angeles, Foldy once again began thinking about film production. He co-wrote and was able to set up a teen comedy script, Hot Moves that soon found worldwide success.
Apr 22, 202001:59:60
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats with Director Todd Robinson 'The Last Full Measure'
Writer/Director Todd Robinson — Before working with a cadre of major talent alongside the likes of Ridley Scott, Sydney Pollack, Shakar Kapur, Jan DeBont, Michael Bay and others, Robinson was trained as an actor which has informed his considerable work in film and television.
Robinson’s films often explore the boundaries of the human condition set against the action of large-scale theatrical backdrops as is evidenced by his cold war submarine thriller “Phantom” starring Ed Harris, David Duchovny and William Fichtner, and the Ridley Scott sea faring epic, “White Squall”.
Known as an actor’s director, Robinson’s next film is “The Last Full Measure” about Medal of Honor recipient AFC William Hart Pitsenbarger. This film stars Sebastain Stan, Allison Sudol, Jeremy Irvine, Christopher Plummer, Samuel L. Jackson, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Peter Fonda, John Savage, Amy Madigan, Diane Ladd, Bradly Whitford, Linus Roache, Ser Darius Blain, James Jagger, Cody Walker, Zack Roerig and LisaGay Hamilton. It opened nationwide on Jan. 17th, 2020.
Robinson wrote and directed the noir thriller “Lonely Hearts” starring John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Salma Hayek, Jared Leto and Laura Dern.
Robinson wrote and produced “White Squall”, working closely with director Ridley Scott. The film stars Jeff Bridges, Ryan Phillippe, Jeremy Sisto, and Scott Wolf. He wrote “The Four Diamonds” for Disney, directed by Peter Werner, “Mermaid” helmed by Peter Masterson and was a contributing writer on Bad Boys II directed by Michael Bay.
Robinson wrote and directed “The Legend of Billy the Kid” for the Disney Channel, winning a Primetime EMMY. He has numerous television series credits.
Robinson’s films often explore the boundaries of the human condition set against the action of large-scale theatrical backdrops as is evidenced by his cold war submarine thriller “Phantom” starring Ed Harris, David Duchovny and William Fichtner, and the Ridley Scott sea faring epic, “White Squall”.
Known as an actor’s director, Robinson’s next film is “The Last Full Measure” about Medal of Honor recipient AFC William Hart Pitsenbarger. This film stars Sebastain Stan, Allison Sudol, Jeremy Irvine, Christopher Plummer, Samuel L. Jackson, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Peter Fonda, John Savage, Amy Madigan, Diane Ladd, Bradly Whitford, Linus Roache, Ser Darius Blain, James Jagger, Cody Walker, Zack Roerig and LisaGay Hamilton. It opened nationwide on Jan. 17th, 2020.
Robinson wrote and directed the noir thriller “Lonely Hearts” starring John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Salma Hayek, Jared Leto and Laura Dern.
Robinson wrote and produced “White Squall”, working closely with director Ridley Scott. The film stars Jeff Bridges, Ryan Phillippe, Jeremy Sisto, and Scott Wolf. He wrote “The Four Diamonds” for Disney, directed by Peter Werner, “Mermaid” helmed by Peter Masterson and was a contributing writer on Bad Boys II directed by Michael Bay.
Robinson wrote and directed “The Legend of Billy the Kid” for the Disney Channel, winning a Primetime EMMY. He has numerous television series credits.
Apr 17, 202001:59:54
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats With Director Lance Kawas: The Revenge Of The Mask
Lance Kawas, director, has a passion for writing screenplays and directing. Lance spent ten years writing 30 screenplays which earned him 19 national screenplay competition awards and opened the door for him to direct indie films. His films include horror feature Silent Scream, true mob story Street Boss. A children's movie The Deported. His 4th the drama/action Restitution. Recent projects include his “Revenge of The Mask Film” which has 39.8 million views. He produced the entire series. A High End commercial that's won 18 Best Commercial Awards from around the world. Trailers for A Silent War & Odin’s 9 and an award winning music video. He's developing his script to direct The Violinist, with Armory Films (Peanut Butter Falcon, Mudbound) with producer Tim Zajaros. Lance has directed actors such as, Tom Arnold, Mena Suvari, C Thomas Howell, William Sadler, Talia Shire, Michael Rappaport, Paul Rodriguez, Vincent Pastore, Carmen Argenziano, and Nick Turturro to name a few. He has two best feature film awards and one nomination for best director. He's hired to write scripts for producers and has inked four such writing deals. He holds a BA in Finance & Banking from The U of Michigan. His finance background helps him prepare film budgets. As a director he says "i engage in incongruence and non linear story telling showcasing drama through color and shadows seen in a multi layered frame accentuated though various lighting techniques, arcs, looks, feel, and aesthetics - This is what I put on the screen.
Apr 14, 202001:59:18
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats With Director Michael O Sajbel Pt 3
Michael Sajbel is a feature film writer, producer and Director whose career has now spanned over three decades. Wraith (2018) is his most recent film, shot in Neenah, Wisconsin, starring Lance Henriksen, Jackson Hurst and Ali Hillis.
Michael is perhaps best known for The Ultimate Gift, starring James Garner, Brian Dennehy and Abigail Breslin. He also directed, One Night with The King, a faithful retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, starring Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, Tiffany DuPont, John Noble and Peter O’Toole.
Altogether Michael has worked in the above capacities or as a Director of Photography on over 40 feature films and over 400 television episodes.
Michael is currently in production on The Mulligan, based on the Ken Blanchard & Wally Armstrong book of the same name. The film stars Eric Close (American Sniper, Nashville) and Pat Boone (Journey to the Center of the Earth.)
He was born and raised in Wisconsin and is married to Susan Allen, MD, (Anesthesiology) with three children. He attended UCLA where he was named to the Dean’s List all quarters and graduated summa cum laude. He divides his time between Wisconsin and Hollywood and currently has several films in development.
Apr 08, 202001:59:45
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats With Director Michael O Sajbel Pt 2
Michael Sajbel is a feature film writer, producer and Director whose career has now spanned over three decades. Wraith (2018) is his most recent film, shot in Neenah, Wisconsin, starring Lance Henriksen, Jackson Hurst and Ali Hillis.
Michael is perhaps best known for The Ultimate Gift, starring James Garner, Brian Dennehy and Abigail Breslin. He also directed, One Night with The King, a faithful retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, starring Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, Tiffany DuPont, John Noble and Peter O’Toole.
Altogether Michael has worked in the above capacities or as a Director of Photography on over 40 feature films and over 400 television episodes.
Michael is currently in production on The Mulligan, based on the Ken Blanchard & Wally Armstrong book of the same name. The film stars Eric Close (American Sniper, Nashville) and Pat Boone (Journey to the Center of the Earth.)
He was born and raised in Wisconsin and is married to Susan Allen, MD, (Anesthesiology) with three children. He attended UCLA where he was named to the Dean’s List all quarters and graduated summa cum laude. He divides his time between Wisconsin and Hollywood and currently has several films in development.
Apr 07, 202059:48
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats With Director Michael O Sajbel
Michael Sajbel is a feature film writer, producer and Director whose career has now spanned over three decades. Wraith (2018) is his most recent film, shot in Neenah, Wisconsin, starring Lance Henriksen, Jackson Hurst and Ali Hillis.
Michael is perhaps best known for The Ultimate Gift, starring James Garner, Brian Dennehy and Abigail Breslin. He also directed, One Night with The King, a faithful retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, starring Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, Tiffany DuPont, John Noble and Peter O’Toole.
Altogether Michael has worked in the above capacities or as a Director of Photography on over 40 feature films and over 400 television episodes.
Michael is currently in production on The Mulligan, based on the Ken Blanchard & Wally Armstrong book of the same name. The film stars Eric Close (American Sniper, Nashville) and Pat Boone (Journey to the Center of the Earth.)
He was born and raised in Wisconsin and is married to Susan Allen, MD, (Anesthesiology) with three children. He attended UCLA where he was named to the Dean’s List all quarters and graduated summa cum laude. He divides his time between Wisconsin and Hollywood and currently has several films in development.
Apr 07, 202056:37
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats With Director Rod Lurie
Rod Lurie wrote & directed the Academy Award & Golden Globe Award nominated thriller “The Contender” starring Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman & Christian Slater which was honored by the Broadcast Film Critics with the first-ever Alan J. Pakula Award. Lurie created the TV series “Commander In Chief” nominated for the Best Drama Series Golden Globe. Geena Davis won the Best Actress Golden Globe. Recent projects include directing “The Outpost” starring Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones & Orlando Bloom based on the book with same title by CNN anchor Jake Tapper. The remake of “Straw Dogs” starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth & Alexander Skarsgard, “Nothing But the Truth” starring Kate Beckinsale, Alan Alda & Matt Dillon, “Resurrecting the Champ” starring Samuel L Jackson & Josh Hartnett. He created and executive-produced “Line of Fire,” FBI drama for ABC, and directed “The Last Castle“ starring Robert Redford, James Gandolfini &Mark Ruffalo. Lurie made his writing and directing debut in 1998 with the Atlanta FIlm Festival Award Winning BEst short “Four Second Delay.” In 2000 he directed first feature “Deterrence” starring Kevin Pollak & Timothy Hutton. He graduated from the United States MilitaryAcademy at West Point in 1984 and served four years in the U.S. Army. After the military, Lurie enjoyed success as a film critic and entertainment reporter. He was a frequent contributor to magazines as Premiere, Movieline and Entertainment Weekly and worked as a film critic, investigative reporter and contributing editor to Los Angeles Magazine from 1990-1995. Lurie authored thebook Once Upon A Time in Hollywood in 1995.
Apr 02, 202001:59:42
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Talks With Producer, Actor, Writer Dan Davies
Dan Davies is an internationally acclaimed and award winning writer/actor/producer. He's co-starred, produced or written feature films that have been nominated for a BIFA (British Independent Film Award), the African Academy Award, AIFI's American Indian Best Film Award, Toronto Film Festival Best Film, Raindance Film Festival Best Film etc., and he has won Political Film Society's Best Film (Human Rights and Peace), the AMVCA (African Magic Viewers' Choice Award), AELA (African Entertainment Legend Award) and the Golden Movie Award (Africa) Best Supporting Actor Comedy. He is also the first American to ever be awarded a Golden Movie Award (Top 3 film award on the continent of Africa).
His films have been nationally showcased on PBS, Retro TV Network, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Redbox, Tribeca Shortlist, Walmart, Barnes & Noble etc. He also co-stars in two films that are respectively the No. 6 and No. 32 Highest Box Office Nollywood films of All-Time. Nollywood is the second largest film market in the world and now Dan is considered the No. 1 American Actor in Nollywood.
His film (co-star) "A Trip to Jamaica" just premiered on Netflix in 190 countries (Dec 13th, 2019) and became a Top 10 Most Trended & Popular New Addition for the month of Dec. He has been featured in over 1000 media including CBS (National) News, CNN, BBC, NPR, PBS, PRI, USA Today, RTHK (Radio TV Hong Kong) The Financial Times (UK), Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Forbes etc.
The NIFA Legend Award is named the Blake Award, (Dances with Wolves) Michael Blake. 2019 was the inaugural award show at The Film Forte, Appleton, WI. Oother winners included Sir Sean Connery (Lifetime Achievement), Multi-platinum artist Neal McCoy (Musical Legend), and Jeff Olm for Post-Production (Lifetime Achievement - Post-Production).
Mar 29, 202001:59:53
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Talks With Producer Susan Sherayko
Susan Sherayko, authored 'Rainbows Over Ruins', is a 3-time Daytime Emmy nominated Executive in Charge of Production/Line Producer of Home & Family on Hallmark Channel. She's a member of PGA & Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She's a Certified psychosynthesist, Empowered Spiritual Life Coach, LifeSuccess Consultant, Power Habits Coach and Afformer.
Susan Sherayko offers life, success and power habit coaching services, on and offline, that support change from within to overcome your most difficult experiences as you tap into your full potential and attain your goals.
A mudslide destroyed her family’s home. Susan and her family survived. Their recovery inspired her to become a Life, Success and Power Habits Coach who began guiding others to survive major setbacks, rebuild, and ultimately, create a new vision that allows them to create again. Armed with inner strength, you can accomplish anything.
Susan recognized there are common traits between success and survival that enable us to survive and recover, and become successful.These are life skills can be acquired before major setbacks. Sherayko founded Train Your Brain, Claim Your Power. By empowering your mind through training, you can be prepared to take control of any challenge, big or small.
See “Your Survivor’s Guide:n12 Tips to Gain Inner Peace” at (www.GiftFromSusan.com). She blogs, “To Your Success”, leads workshops and 1-on-1 coaching. Her online audio course, "Manifesting Your Dreams: A Roadmap to Identify and Achieve Your Goals" is available at www.CourseCraft.net/courses/z9RSY.
We discuss production and career skills
Mar 26, 202001:59:37
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Talks Post Production Process With Jeff Olm
Producer, Director, and Finisher Jeff Olm started in the business as a cameraman and editor for Green Bay, WI television stations. He moved to Hollywood to work as Flame/VFX artist on movies like Fifth Element, Titanic, Die Hard, Zodiac, Spider-Man, and Armageddon. He was working as a colorist for Dreamworks where he graded Madagascar 3, Puss in the Boots, How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda.
Jeff is always willing to experiment and master new technologies. He was one of the first people to grade stereoscopic 3D or 360 VR. He' s also one of the first to take the process of dailies to the next level while working on movies like Revenant. He developed Virtual Machines and Cloud workflows with Eclipse Tech for Universities, Studios, and streaming services. Currently Jeff is utilizing these tools on 3 Wisconsin based projects.
He has 5 Wisconsin based projects in development. One,"Farm State" which currently is in production has farmers telling their family farm stories in the Midwest, It includes interviews and footage from FarmAid 2019 shot in East Troy, Alpine Valley, Wisconsin.
His company Perfect Pictures, LLC has a Premier/Resolve post suite in Spring Green, WI.
Jeff is always willing to experiment and master new technologies. He was one of the first people to grade stereoscopic 3D or 360 VR. He' s also one of the first to take the process of dailies to the next level while working on movies like Revenant. He developed Virtual Machines and Cloud workflows with Eclipse Tech for Universities, Studios, and streaming services. Currently Jeff is utilizing these tools on 3 Wisconsin based projects.
He has 5 Wisconsin based projects in development. One,"Farm State" which currently is in production has farmers telling their family farm stories in the Midwest, It includes interviews and footage from FarmAid 2019 shot in East Troy, Alpine Valley, Wisconsin.
His company Perfect Pictures, LLC has a Premier/Resolve post suite in Spring Green, WI.
Mar 23, 202001:58:37
Rex Sikes Movie Beat: Talks With Actor Producer Author Peter Sherayko
Producer, Actor, Author Peter Sherayko makes himself available to colleges and universities to share his 40 years in the business with those who wish a career in entertainment. Peter acts and produces for both film and television, appearing in over 81 films and 200 television and stage shows. Peter was a producer on the film Bone Tomahawk with his longtime friend, Kurt Russell. His last two productions are Soldier’s Heart to be released in June, 2020 and Shooting Star currently in post-production. Spring of 2020, Peter is consulting producer for the INSP series, Wild West Chronicles.
John Milius told him once, “Before you write, you have to have something to say.” Peter waited until he had over 30 years experince to do that. He's authored fTombstone: The Guns and Gear, describes in detail all the firearms and props his company Caravan West supplied for the iconic film Tombston. His second book, The Fringe of Hollywood, is a fact filled instructional guide to assist writers, directors and actors in making Western films. It explains the period correct firearms, saddles and costumes, as well as working with animals and other nuances specific to creating a Western.
Peter provides a wide range of services geared specifically to the Western genre: acting, stunt coordinating, producing, writing, advising and supplying for all these venues. He spends 365 days a year busy and fulfilling his dreams. His website is www.CaravanWest.com.
John Milius told him once, “Before you write, you have to have something to say.” Peter waited until he had over 30 years experince to do that. He's authored fTombstone: The Guns and Gear, describes in detail all the firearms and props his company Caravan West supplied for the iconic film Tombston. His second book, The Fringe of Hollywood, is a fact filled instructional guide to assist writers, directors and actors in making Western films. It explains the period correct firearms, saddles and costumes, as well as working with animals and other nuances specific to creating a Western.
Peter provides a wide range of services geared specifically to the Western genre: acting, stunt coordinating, producing, writing, advising and supplying for all these venues. He spends 365 days a year busy and fulfilling his dreams. His website is www.CaravanWest.com.
Mar 19, 202001:59:42
Rex Sikes Movie Beat: Raising Money & Distribution With Director Michael Feifer
To be successful in the movie business you need to known and understand the movie business. It is a profit driven manufazturing process of creative content. You need to know how to find or raise money to make get your projecgs done. You need to know where to go and what to do to get your projects released, distributed to the markets so you can see a return on your investment. If you want to make a living making movies and television you must listen to Michael Feifer as he gives you tips, methods and know-how to be more successful. Mike is President of Feifer Worldwide, Inc.A Production Company. He's produced/Line Produced more than 100 feature films and directed more than 60 feature films. He's written more than 40 feature films. His past experience includes VP of Sales & Distribution for Vista Street Entertainment. Was Head of Production & Development-Vista Street Entertainment (1992-1998) VP of Home Video for Vista Street Entertainment (1993-1998) and President of Flat Iron Multimedia an (Entertainment Graphics Company) (1997-2001) Michael knows his stuff. Let him help you move ahead. Join us.
Mar 17, 202001:59:40
Rex Sikes Movie Beat: Talks Making Movies & More With Director Michael Feifer
Michael Feifer grew up in a show biz family. His father was Head of Television Research for 20th Century Fox in the late 60's and 70's. After graduating college Mike decided to take advantage of the fact that his father was producing independent films. After working on only three projects, at twenty-four Mike produced his first feature.
Eventually, Mike began producing films for others and has now produced more than seventy-five feature films. When a director dropped out of a film he was producing, he finally got his shot to direct. The film was called Lethal Eviction and it starred Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club).
His ability to move his crew quickly and make concise decisions on set allow Mike to get an incredible amount of set-ups shot per day. Mike is considered an actor's director because of his innate ability to collaborate with his talent yet lead them. But, he's also considered a producer's director due to his ability to bring in films on budget, on-time, and with amazing production quality.
Mike has directed stars such as Val Kilmer, Brittany Murphy, Tom Arnold, Tom Skerritt, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more. He has worked in a producing and assistant-directing capacity with stars such as Al Pacino, Lorraine Bracco, and Danny Glover.
Since directing that first feature, Mike has gone on to direct many more films in a wide variety of genres from horror to thriller to drama to comedy. His films are seen regularly on channels such as Lifetime, Hallmark, ION, Uplift TV, and more. His films are sold in every territory throughout the world.
Eventually, Mike began producing films for others and has now produced more than seventy-five feature films. When a director dropped out of a film he was producing, he finally got his shot to direct. The film was called Lethal Eviction and it starred Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and Judd Nelson (Breakfast Club).
His ability to move his crew quickly and make concise decisions on set allow Mike to get an incredible amount of set-ups shot per day. Mike is considered an actor's director because of his innate ability to collaborate with his talent yet lead them. But, he's also considered a producer's director due to his ability to bring in films on budget, on-time, and with amazing production quality.
Mike has directed stars such as Val Kilmer, Brittany Murphy, Tom Arnold, Tom Skerritt, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more. He has worked in a producing and assistant-directing capacity with stars such as Al Pacino, Lorraine Bracco, and Danny Glover.
Since directing that first feature, Mike has gone on to direct many more films in a wide variety of genres from horror to thriller to drama to comedy. His films are seen regularly on channels such as Lifetime, Hallmark, ION, Uplift TV, and more. His films are sold in every territory throughout the world.
Mar 14, 202001:59:30
Rex Sikes Movie Beat Chats with Twisted Dreams Film Fest Founders Chris & Steve
Twisted Dreams Film Festival, founded in 2011 by Christopher K House and Stephen Milek, two friends with a passion for the silver screen. Chris can thank his parent's for his obsession with horror and the macabre. Both being horror fans, Chris grew up watching old horror films, specifically the Universal Monsters collection of fright films. He was born into a family of magicians and was weaned on sideshows and carnivals bringing a unique perspective to the festival. He is a member of the Online Film and Television Critic Association.
A lover of all movies, Steve will watch anything from classic silent films to modern big budget action films. After attending the Sundance Film Festival a few times he always wondered what it would be like to start his own film festival. Over time he became obsessed with the Oscars and for his first blog he watched every Oscar Best Picture winner in chronological order.
What started out as a simple blog about movies, it grew to have an emphasis on local films and filmmakers. They wanted a true horror film festival in Milwaukee that showcased the best in not only local but also international horror, dark comedy and sci-fi films. The first year was a major hit with filmmakers and guests coming from all over the country and Canada. The duo plan on having the fest a yearly event and hope it grows each year.
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great interviews, cast & crew listings, events, premieres & more at rexsikes.com and rexsikesmoviebeat.me
May 19, 201601:02:35
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w William Lu Director
WIlliam Lu, director, served as a development assistant for David Madden and Robert Cort at the Cort/Madden Company at Paramount. He received his MFA in film and TV production from FSU where he produced the 35mm thesis film “Two-Bit,” which was a 2003 Student Academy Award finalist. He was Hired at the SyFy Channel and then spent three years at Herzog & Company where he worked in TV, web and marketing producing content for Disney, Paramount, Dreamworks and Sony Pictures. In 2005, as a recipient of the LA Asian Pacific Armed with a Camera Fellowship; he received a grant which funded his short film Spy Moms. He wrote and directed Asian Task Force, a half-hour mock pilot that was awarded "Best Action Short" at the 2007 LA Digital Video Film Festival and screened at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. William worked as post production supervisor at Machinima on their Terminator: Salvation web series. Hired on at Maker Studios he produced content for their gaming vertical and created and hosted the show “Retro Hardware”. He was co-producer for Rosanna Pansino’s “Nerdy Nummies” . In 2015, he directed the feature drama Comfort from his own original screenplay. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great interviews, cast & crew listings, events, premieres & more at rexsikes.com
Apr 19, 201601:24:31
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w David Murphy Casting Director
David Murphy, casting director and acting coach, is co-founder of the Chicago acting school, The Green Room. There are multiple areas of expertise to his teaching. He's worked for 20 years in the field of acting. Since 2001 he has worked as a Commercial Casting Director at O'Connor Casting. He splits time between casting and teaching. Around the casting office, there are two "David's" (David O'Connor is the owner), and this David, known as "Murphy". He has conducted well over 50,000 individual actor's auditions. For 16 years Murphy taught for the Players' Workshop of the Second City. He's directed over a hundred shows ranging from improv reviews to children's shows. He has created several touring groups performing for such clients as GE and Novis. He has worked as an artistic director for Bedlam Productions, has worked in casting for Toast productions and has been a consultant to several fledgling theatre companies. Beyond his acting and voice over credit, he has been a casting director, theatre director and instructor. What is not as widely known is Murphy is also a Reiki Master. Reiki is a healing modality using energy. Unfocused energy can be at the root of an uncreative and uninteresting performance. Murphy helps actors through self-reflection, energy work and discovery of higher creative self, to gain better control of their instrument so they can be present during the audition and bring their best self to the room. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com
Feb 25, 201601:25:57
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats with Craig Knitt And The Wildwood Film Festival
Craig A. Knitt, award winning artist, filmmaker, teacher, performer, writer and creator is a founder of the Wildwood Film Festival, a festival dedicated to Wisconsin film talent. The past three years Craig has also been a volunteer for the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival. When Craig is not busy teaching visual art, he is busy creating film projects or performing Improvisational Comedy with ComedyCity - DePere and DinnerTime Comedy. Craig was the male lead in last year's "Secrets of the Dead" which was premiered at the Gerold Theater in Weyauwega.
The Wildwood Film Festival's purpose is to promote Wisconsin film talent (actors, directors, writers, composers, editors, etc.). It strives to educate high school students and adults in film basics - script writing, story boarding, filming, lighting, sound, editing and marketing. The Wildwood Film Festival has been consistently dedicated to Wisconsin film talent. Now in it fifteenth year it will have showcased over 500 films that all have connections to the state. Events have been held at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Big Picture Theatre. The Wildwood Film Festival continues to grow each year and the commitment to Wisconsin filmmakers and film talent is just as strong. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com
The Wildwood Film Festival's purpose is to promote Wisconsin film talent (actors, directors, writers, composers, editors, etc.). It strives to educate high school students and adults in film basics - script writing, story boarding, filming, lighting, sound, editing and marketing. The Wildwood Film Festival has been consistently dedicated to Wisconsin film talent. Now in it fifteenth year it will have showcased over 500 films that all have connections to the state. Events have been held at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Big Picture Theatre. The Wildwood Film Festival continues to grow each year and the commitment to Wisconsin filmmakers and film talent is just as strong. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com
Feb 17, 201601:04:04
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats with James Breckenridge, Script Consultant
James Breckenridge, script consultant, has worked in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. In 1995, he founded of The PlayCrafters Group. As its Director, he specializes in helping writers from all over the country develop producible scripts for motion pictures, television and theatre. Through creative counseling and objective feedback, he encourages writers to focus on the essential elements of their stories.
His script development service has been rated in the Top Ten and recommended as the Best Of The Best Buys in Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s review of leading script consultants from all around the country
In addition to private coachings and consultations, James has created a number of Courses and Workshops for the beginning as well as the advanced screenwriter. Some of the most popular include Screenwriting Essentials, First Steps: Dramatic Steps to a Dynamic Screenplay and Pitching: Five Minutes to Fame. He has taught for The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, the Bucks County Writer’s Room, The Writers Corner USA and the Lehigh Valley Writer’s Academy.
As a director and creative writing consultant, he has helped in the staging and conceptualizing of well over 200 dramatic scripts.
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
His script development service has been rated in the Top Ten and recommended as the Best Of The Best Buys in Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s review of leading script consultants from all around the country
In addition to private coachings and consultations, James has created a number of Courses and Workshops for the beginning as well as the advanced screenwriter. Some of the most popular include Screenwriting Essentials, First Steps: Dramatic Steps to a Dynamic Screenplay and Pitching: Five Minutes to Fame. He has taught for The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, the Bucks County Writer’s Room, The Writers Corner USA and the Lehigh Valley Writer’s Academy.
As a director and creative writing consultant, he has helped in the staging and conceptualizing of well over 200 dramatic scripts.
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Dec 10, 201501:28:48
Rex Sikes'Movie Beat chats with Ian Teal Weyauwega Film Fest
Join Ian Teal co-director of The Weyauwega International Film Festival will be returning November 11-14 to the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega, WI for it’s fifth year of films from around the globe.
This year the festival presented by Wega Arts will be screening forty-three films representing seventeen different countries. Many of the films were either made in Wisconsin or have Wisconsin connections.
This year Friday at the festival happens to fall on the 13th of the month which of course invites an opportunity to screen horror films.
The Weyauwega International Film Festival (WIFF) has seized this opportunity to satisfy the horror hounds in Central Wisconsin and will be screening horror films and thrillers all day on Friday the 13th in what they are calling a “Friday the 13th Fright Fest”.
Of course WIFF is not all about horror films. Some great feature films and documentaries as well as a wide variety of short films will be screened this year.
Saturday starts with a filmmaker seminar with local filmmakers Dan Davies, Craig Knitt and Rex Sikes at 10am.
An encore screening of the previously mentioned EMBERS screens at 2:15pm. The very entertaining romantic comedy DIRTY BEAUTIFUL screens at 4pm.
Tickets are $12 for a day pass which are good for any one film or a whole day of films. Festival passes are $30 and are good for the whole festival and also include a free large popcorn!
The full schedule can be found at wegaarts.org. Festival passes can also be found online The box office: 920-867-4888. See you at the Gerold!
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
This year the festival presented by Wega Arts will be screening forty-three films representing seventeen different countries. Many of the films were either made in Wisconsin or have Wisconsin connections.
This year Friday at the festival happens to fall on the 13th of the month which of course invites an opportunity to screen horror films.
The Weyauwega International Film Festival (WIFF) has seized this opportunity to satisfy the horror hounds in Central Wisconsin and will be screening horror films and thrillers all day on Friday the 13th in what they are calling a “Friday the 13th Fright Fest”.
Of course WIFF is not all about horror films. Some great feature films and documentaries as well as a wide variety of short films will be screened this year.
Saturday starts with a filmmaker seminar with local filmmakers Dan Davies, Craig Knitt and Rex Sikes at 10am.
An encore screening of the previously mentioned EMBERS screens at 2:15pm. The very entertaining romantic comedy DIRTY BEAUTIFUL screens at 4pm.
Tickets are $12 for a day pass which are good for any one film or a whole day of films. Festival passes are $30 and are good for the whole festival and also include a free large popcorn!
The full schedule can be found at wegaarts.org. Festival passes can also be found online The box office: 920-867-4888. See you at the Gerold!
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Nov 03, 201501:13:23
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats with Director Bill Rebane
Bill Rebane, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Author started his assent from the mail room, at age 17, to Floor Manager, Asst. producer and assistant to the Executive producer, providing him the opportunity to partake in countless daily live television productions. His first independent production effort was “Twist Craze,” a ten minute musical theatrical short subject purchased by AIP became an international success theatrically and financially. “Dance Craze” surpassed the success of the earlier one and ultimately was purchased by Crown International Pictures for international release. At age 23, Rebane took the position as Executive in Charge of U.S. co-productions for Studio Bendestorf, Germany. Ultimately the films which found a partial or full home at his Bendestorf Studio facility “Dollar” (Goldie Hawn/ Scott Brady,) “How I Won the War” (John Lennon) and “The Odessa File” (John Voight. Bill moved to Wisconsin where he established and built the one and only full time feature film studio in the Midwest, that flourished for over a quarter of a century, producing hundreds of commercials / industrial / corporate image films plus a string of theatrical features all of which enjoyed international theatrical theatrical distribution and exposure. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about our industry.
Oct 15, 201501:19:57
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats with Rick Vaicius Flyway Film Festival Director
Join Rick Vaicisu,The Flyway Film Festival Director and Rex Sikes discussing what's new at the upcoming 8th Fest in Pepin, Wisconsin. October 21-25, 2015. Flyway showcases top-notch emerging filmmakers from across the globe. Flyway has won accolades from industry pros, filmmakers, and audiences.Opening night film is The Driftless Area, starring John Hawkes, Zooey Deschanel, and Anton Yelchin. World premieres at the festival are Pictures of Lily, by British director Mark Banks; Remittance, by Patrick Daly and Joel Fendelman, and Second Honeymoon, by Dutch filmmaker Kristjan Knigge. There are workshops and mentor sessions with industry experts Seed&Spark's Erica Anderson, King is a Fink's Julie Keck and Jessica King, location manager Charlotte Ariss, and filmmakers Emily Ting (It's AlreadyTomorrow in Hong Kong) and Norah Shapiro (Miss Tibet: Beauty in Exile). Ted Hope and Brian Newman, will be around to chat with attendees. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at http://www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about our industry.
Oct 08, 201501:02:11
Rex Sikes ' Movie Beat Chats with author/producer/director Rocky Lang EP 2
Rocky Lang, Producer, director author, PT 2. Rocky's new book "Growing Up Hollywood" is available at Amazon! He has been involved in the motion picture and television business all his life. He Executive Produced, “Racing For Time” for Lifetime Television starring Charles Dutton, which received a Best Picture nomination for The Image Awards. He has had 8 books published. Growing up as the son of veteran producer and Universal Studios executive, Jennings Lang ("Earthquake" "Play Misty For Me" and others), Rocky knew early on that he wanted to write/produce and direct. Lang set himself on a track that has seen him produce and direct documentary films including the award-winning "The Making of Tootsie", and directing the long-running hit show "Remington Steele" and three features, “Nervous Ticks”, “Race For Glory”, “All’s Fair”. His produced "White Squall” starring Jeff Bridges and directed by Ridley Scott. He also produced the Emmy-Award winning “Titanic", a 4-hour mini-series for CBS. Besides his directing career, Lang has had deals as a producer and director with Warner Bros., Universal, New World, CBS, NBC, ABC, Twentieth Century Fox, Cinecom, MGM and United Artists. He is an award winning screenwriter having received a dramatic writing award from the Houston Film Festival for his original screenplay, "The Low Post". "Crossing Memphis", was optioned by Quincy Jones and Columbia Pictures. "The Babe That Struck out Ruth" sold to ‘bel Films. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Dec 11, 201401:05:54
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats director Peter D Marshall Ep 30
Peter Marshall, PT 30, The Director's Series - The nuts & bolts of directing film and television with Peter Marshall. Peter has had a 35-year career and has worked as a PA, dolly grip, electrician, assistant cameraman, commercial production manager, first assistant director, TV series creative consultant, television producer and director. He has worked on industrial films, documentaries; television commercials, music videos; Emmy Award nominated TV series and features. Peter has directed over 30 TV episodes and written, directed or produced over 50 hours of documentary educational programs. His works have won, or been nominated for 14 International awards. He's worked for directors such as Zack Snyder, John Woo, Ed Wick, Phillip Noyce, John Balham, Roger Adam, Anne Wheeler, Bobby Roth & Kim Manners. He has worked with actors including Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Kathy Bates, Adam Sandler and Peter O'Toole. Other credits inclurde scores of television series as 1st Ad & as a director. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at http://www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Dec 04, 201401:06:44
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w Kathy Fehl & Ian Teal of WIFF
Kathy Fehl lived in NY, writing plays, directing, and producing theater. She created a five hundred seat theater at 79th and Riverside, the heart of the Upper West Side; the first show she directed there was Waiting for Godot, starring David Morse. She studied with several brilliant teachers, including Lee Strasberg, Geraldine Page, Christine Lavren, and John Guare. In addition to the fourteen plays of Fehl's that were produced in NY, she has had shows produced on Martha's Vineyard and in Wisconsin. She co-wrote 'Mint Julep', a feature film, with Ian Teal. Currently, she enjoys developing programs in various types of theater and film at Wega Arts, in Weyauwega, WI. Ian Teal is the Executive Director of Wega Arts and is glad to be back on the stage acting as well as directing. He studied improvisational theater in New York and was a founding member of the comedy group Afterwards, which wrote skits and presented comedy in clubs in NYC and on Martha’s Vineyard. He worked with theater companies in Manhattan, and was part of the group that created the People’s Playhouse, on East Fourth Street, NYC, where he wrote, directed and produced. He co-wrote, directed, and produced ‘Mint Julep’. Originally, Ian is from Oconomowoc, WI, Since 2007 he has led the renovations of the Gerold Opera House, and has worked to bring Wega Arts programs to the area. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Oct 30, 201401:24:34
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats w producer writer Jeff Gendleman
Jeff Gendelman, writer and producer, wrote and produced The Surface, an 18-year journey of perseverance from idea to production. The film stars Sean Astin, Chris Mulkey and Mimi Rogers and was directed by Gil Cates Jr. Jeff also produced and directed the award-winning short film, In Passing. He produced the Los Angeles world premiere of the play, The Letter Writer, and then developed it to be made into a film. He produced and directed two science documentaries, and a pilot for a syndicated TV series. As an actor, Jeff co-starred with Christopher Lambert in the feature film, Splitsville. He had a supporting role opposite Robert Forster and Donnie Wahlberg in the feature film, Diamond Men. His TV work includes guest-starring roles on NBC’s Law and Order and he was featured on Beverly Hills 90210. Jeff was also a series regular on the television dramas One Life to Live, Guiding Light and Loving (nominated for Outstanding Actor in a daytime TV series). He studied in film classes at the American Film Institute (Los Angeles), New YorkUniversity, USC, and at the BBC (London). Jeff has also been involved with the theater since age 10. After graduating from the University of Minnesota he went to train in the American Conservatory Theater Advanced Actor Program in San Francisco. He has acted and directed at theaters throughout the United States and Japan, including Old Globe Shakespeare Company (San Diego), Milwaukee Repertory, Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles), and Riverside Shakespeare Company (New York City). Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Oct 22, 201453:39
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats w FlyWay Film Festival Director Rick Vaicius
Rick Vaicius is director and founder of Flyway Film Festival, Wisconsin's bluff premier destination for independent film as noted by Emmy award-winning blogger Scott W. Smith “ … a festival that should be on your radar”. Founded in 2008 Vaicius has created a standout, intimate and high-quality annual festival. Over the past four years, Flyway has brought over 80 filmmakers into the local community. In addition to screening remarkable films, it has become a unique venue for filmmakers to network and discuss projects and the "state of the industry" in the film world. Vaicius has already persuaded some top film industry talent to appear. The 7th Annual Flyway Film Festival begins Thursday October 23-26, 2014 in Pepin and Stockholm, Wisconsin. This year promises to be its most exciting to-date.
For festival line up and panels go to flywayfilmfestival.org and check it out!
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com and Visit RexSikesMovieBeat.me the blog
For festival line up and panels go to flywayfilmfestival.org and check it out!
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com and Visit RexSikesMovieBeat.me the blog
Oct 21, 201457:20
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat chats director Peter D Marshall Ep 29
Peter Marshall, Pt 29, The Director's Series - The nuts & bolts of directing film and television with Peter Marshall. Peter has had a 35-year career and has worked as a PA, dolly grip, electrician, assistant cameraman, commercial production manager, first assistant director, TV series creative consultant, television producer and director. He has worked on industrial films, documentaries; television commercials, music videos; Emmy Award nominated TV series and features. Peter has directed over 30 TV episodes and written, directed or produced over 50 hours of documentary educational programs. His works have won, or been nominated for 14 International awards. He's worked for directors such as Zack Snyder, John Woo, Ed Wick, Phillip Noyce, John Balham, Roger Adam, Anne Wheeler, Bobby Roth & Kim Manners. He has worked with actors including Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Kathy Bates, Adam Sandler and Peter O'Toole. Other credits inclurde scores of television series as 1st Ad & as a director. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at http://www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Oct 16, 201401:04:48
RexSikes Movie Beat chats w writer Michael Beckner WS7
Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series" EP 7 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television, His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man. From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discovery's Gold Fever, and he is preparing the Spy Game prequel Muir’s Gambit for production and has adapted his novel Berlin Mesa into a 4 hour mini-series for AMC, Beckner is currently working on City of Lies with director Wolfgang Petersen. upcoming Civil War Event Mini-Series To Appomattox. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at http://www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Oct 08, 201401:24:14
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with director Rex Piano PT 5
Rex Piano, director, PT 5Upon graduating NYU School of the Arts , Rex worked as a 1st A.D. on dozens of commercials and films until he took a full time position at a NY Commercial Production Company. In 1985 Rex as Head of Production for O’Quinn Productions. he produced numerous videos for Fangoria Magazine. In 1987 Rex became Head of Production for Associated Television International. Rex wrote, produced and/or directed several TV specials and numerous travel videos. Rex also co-wrote and line produced the feature film “Chill Factor,” starring Paul Williams, Patrick Macnee and Andrew Prine. Rex line produced “Severed Ties” in 1991 for Fangoria Films. In 1995 he produced the syndicated TV show “High Tide,” starring Rick Springfield. Rex became one of the series’ rotating directors. Some of the episodic shows Rex has directed “Mike Hammer, Private Eye”, “Silk Stalkings”, “Born Free”, “Air America” and “Nightman.” In 2000 Rex produced and directed the multi-award winning romantic comedy feature film “The Month Of August.” Rex followed that film with the highly viewed and critically acclaimed TV movie “Hope Ranch” for The Animal Planet channel. Rex then began directing TV movies that aired on PAX and Lifetime Television. Rex has directed or produced 21 movies. In 2007 Rex was the primary director on “ROME – The Rise and Fall of an Empire,” for the History Channel. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great interviews, cast & crew listings, events, premieres & more at rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at http://www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Oct 02, 201401:06:03
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w producer/director Gil Cates Jr.
GIL CATES, JR. (Producer Director) has produced and directed many films and documentaries, including the 2013 feature film Jobs, which he co-produced, starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, and Matthew Modine, and the 2011 feature film Lucky, which he directed, starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor, Ann-Margret and Jeffrey Tambor. In addition, Gil produced and directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which won best documentary at the Phoenix Film Festival and later had it’s premiere Christmas Eve on Showtime. His other films include Deal, starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison, and Charles Durning, The Mesmerist, starring Neil Patrick Harris, and the critically acclaimed independent film Order of Chaos, which was released in the summer of 2010. Gil also made his TV directorial debut with an episode of the NBC comedy, Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc, and most recently completed the feature film The Surface, starring Sean Astin and Chris Mulkey, which is due out later this year.
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com Visit and subscribe to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat Blog at www.RexSikesMovieBeat.me for articles and more about the industry we love and work in.
Sep 25, 201401:26:35
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats with director Debra Granick
Debra Granik, director, nominated for Academy Award, and co-writer of Winter’s Bone, which was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, and won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Granik’s first feature film, Down to the Bone, was awarded the Best Director prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. She is known for her amazing work with actors, essentially launching the careers of both Vera Farmiga and Jennifer Lawrence. Her work is known for an instinctive, collaborative style that Granik describes as “late-breaking global neorealism.” Granik’s most recent offering, the documentary Stray Dog, began with a chance encounter while scouting and casting Winter’s Bone. Granik met Ron “Stray Dog” Hall in the Biker Church of Branson and cast him as the film’s estranged father, Thump Milton. Of her work she says, “The question I’ve had for most of my life is, ‘How are you coping?’ Some people have these small, positive schemes for survival, a kind of strength that I am attracted to, maybe because I’m prone to the blues.” In Hall she found a worthy subject—one whose humor and lack of self-consciousness had the potential to make the plight of Vietnam vets accessible to a broader audience. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events,festivals premiers and more. www.rexsikes.com , RexSikesMovieBT.me
Sep 24, 201401:12:43
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w actor Peter Sherayko PT 2
Peter Sherayko, (PT 2) Actor, and owner of Caravan West a supplier of horses, tack, artillery, costumes, props, Prod. Designer, Art Director, Prop Master, Wranglers, and Sets for movies, played 'Farley' in 'Yellow Rock'. Peter created his company to bring quality to the Hollywood Western and provide today’s demanding film audience with the most authentic product possible. In the process, Sherayko has become recognized as historian and author, appearing in numerous Wild West Tech episodes for the History Channel and as technical consultant and supplier to both the History and Discovery Channels. His first book, Tombstone: The Guns and Gear is lauded in Flayderman’sGuide to Antique Weapons as one of the 100 books every collector should have on their bookshelf, the book grew out of his work on the Western film classic, Tombstone. Peter researched the weaponry of every character as he designed the firearms he provided. His company Caravan West Productions coordinated the saddles and the Buckaroos, and Peter portrayed the character Texas Jack Vermillion, one of his better known roles.The Fringe of Hollywood is his second adult nonfiction book. The taped version of his one-man show, Cody…An Evening with Buffalo Bill was performed in a chataugua and was among the top finalists in the Santa Clarita International Film Festival when produced. He also released a CD At Your Service and hosted Varmint Media’s The Guns of Billy the Kid. The State of Nebraska awarded him the Buffalo Bill Award for Achievements in Family Entertainment. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com
Sep 18, 201401:29:11
Rex Sikes' Movie Beat talks with team behind Horror Equity Fund, LLC
Horror Equity Fund, LLC leads the industry in genre-specific funding solutions for horror-centric projects including films, ancillary rights exploitation and other horror-related projects. Unlike “pre-sale” or donation-based crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, which solicit donations or contributions in return for a poster, download, or other consideration, Horror Projects presented through HEF offer real ownership and profit participation (an equitable interest) for its Investors. Horror projects include: Transmedia market projects; Feature Films; TV Episodic(s); Graphic Novels; Motion Comics and more. We talk with: CEO Marlon W. Schulman’s an entrepreneurial producer and attorney, his specialty is the creation of diverse profit-driven entertainment products and services through innovatively conceived integration of proven strategies with new technologies. Brian Herskowitz is a veteran Hollywood producer, writer, and director of feature films, TV series and digital series. He is the author of the best-selling book, Process to Product: A Practical Guide to Screenwriting and is a faculty member at the Boston University of Los Angeles' graduate degree program. Peter Flood,is a story analyst with fifteen years experience in both development and acquisitions for Buena Vista Motion Picture Group (Walt Disney Studios, Universal Pictures, Miramax & National Geographic Films. And John Crye has shepherded a body of work to the screen that reads like a roll-call of great indie cinema, including such films as MEMENTO, DONNIE DARKO, THE PRESTIGE, WHALE RIDER, MONSTER and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events,festivals premiers and more. http://www.rexsikes.com , RexSikesMovieBT.me *Show does not constitute legal advice.
Sep 11, 201401:28:34
RexSikes Movie Beat chats w writer Michael Beckner WS6
Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series" EP 6 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television, His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man. From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discovery's Gold Fever, and he is preparing the Spy Game prequel Muir’s Gambit for production and has adapted his novel Berlin Mesa into a 4 hour mini-series for AMC, Beckner is currently working on City of Lies with director Wolfgang Petersen. upcoming Civil War Event Mini-Series To Appomattox. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com
Sep 04, 201401:26:60
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w screenwriter producer Brian Herskowitz
Brian Herskowitz, Screenwriter, has completed over a dozen feature films. His first produced feature was a low budget slasher titled DARKROOM. He wrote and directed the award winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring Jason Alexander, Red Buttons, Jason Schwartzman. Brian wrote, directed, and produced the documentary 1736: SOMEWHERE TO TURN and the short film JOANNE. His TV writing credits include staff writing on NBC's BLOSSOM, episodes of HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and ACAPULCO HEAT, HBO's DREAM ON, CBS’s RENEGADE, THE EXILE, MURDER, SHE WROTE, the TV movie MURDER OF MY AUNT, FOX Network’s YOUNG HERCULES, and CBS’s TOUR OF DUTY. He co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. He worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON, and LISTEN UP. Brian line produced the web series THE BROADROOM, Brian produced UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT (co-writer), and BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS from director-writer Allan Katz (M*A*S*H*, BIG MAN ON CAMPUS), MUSICAL CHAIRS, TIO PAPI which he co-wrote. He has numerous upcoming producing directing feature projects. For twenty years Brian has taught screenwriting, first with WRITER’S BOOT CAMP, then with UCLA EXTENSIONS, and for the last five years he has held the post of Lead Faculty for the prestigious BOSTON UNIVERSITY in LOS ANGELES WRITER IN HOLLYWOOD graduate degree program. His script writing textbook, PROCESS TO PRODUCT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SCREENWRITING, is available on Amazon.com and in bookstores. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com
Aug 28, 201401:27:25
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w Daniel Veluzat PT 3
Daniel Veluzat, PT 3 producer, movie set ranch owner, is an entrepreneur like no other. He started off in the entertainment business over 30 years ago. As a young boy Daniel grew up on movie/TV sets such as 1941 starring John Belushi, Baba Black Sheep starring Robert Conrad, McMillian and Wife starring Rock Hudson, and Maverick - The Lazy Ace starring James Garner. Daniel pportunities visiting "Fantasy Island", "Gilligan's Island", and cruising the streets of Hazzard County in his family owned General Lee's from "Duke's of Hazzard". His family built many vehicles for TV and movies. He rode in General Lee's, Army tanks, Kit from "Knight Rider" and even the "A-Team" van. Today, he owns and helps run The Veluzat Motion Picture Ranch and Melody Ranch Studios located in the Santa Clarita Valley area. Both ranches have been the backdrop where countless movies, TV shows, commercials and music videos have been filmed. Daniel has worked on the ranches as a location liaison on many television shows. Daniel fronted his own Heavy Metal band "Untaymd" and he has been able to continue being around music and work on music videos for many artists. Daniel has worked on some of Hollywood's biggest films. He has been a part of over 150 film and television productions and has also had the privilege to work alongside many of Hollywood's most famous people. He has worked as a Executive and Co Executive producer, Director, Actor, location liaison, studio manager, Stage Manager, stunt man, production designer, art director, set dresser and more! Daniel has also provided equipment to the industry such as motion picture vehicles, water trucks, production trailers, props and set dressing. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com
Aug 21, 201401:28:45
RexSikes Movie Beat chats w writer Michael Beckner WS5
Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series" EP 5 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television, His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man. From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discovery's Gold Fever, and he is preparing the Spy Game prequel Muir’s Gambit for production and has adapted his novel Berlin Mesa into a 4 hour mini-series for AMC, Beckner is currently working on City of Lies with director Wolfgang Petersen. upcoming Civil War Event Mini-Series To Appomattox. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com
Aug 14, 201401:28:33
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w producer writer actor Lenore Andriel EP3
Lenore Andreil PT3 Producer, Director, Actress. Adriel did all three on Yellow Rock. Distributed Worldwide it won 18 Awards, including the prestigious "Wrangler Awards", in every category from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Lenore won for Producing and Best Picture with her partners Steve Doucette, Daniel Veluzat, & Nick Vallelonga, and Best Screenplay with Steve Douctte. She won Best Actress. Her Co-Stars are Michael Biehn, James Russo, and Michael & Eddie Spears. She is in good company, since "Wranglers" have been awarded in the same categories, to Clint Eastwood (for "Forgiven"), Kevin Costner (for "Dances With Wolves"), and Annette Benning for "Open Range". She also won in the same categories from many film festivals across the country, including the Red Nation Film Festival, Lake Arrowhead Film Fest, and the Native American Film & Video Fest of the Southeast, to name just a few. Her first starring film role was opposite Bo Svenson in Blood Brothers, which led to her continuing to being cast as the “strong female lead”. She then played leads in award-winning independent films in both the u.s. and abroad, including Childhood opposite Tara Fitzgerald, which filmed throughout eastern europe, Midnight Witness, that gave her, with Maxwell Caulfield, and Desperate Measures, additionally starred opposite Paul Rudd, Dennis Haysbert, Paul Johansson, and Miguel Ferrer, to name a few in both film and television. As a voice-over actress she portrays several lead characters in “World Of Warcraft”. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com
Aug 07, 201401:29:52
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w author John Trigonis on crowdfunding
John T. Trigonis Crowdfuning, author, filmmaker - A behind-the-scenes consulting machine, John T. Trigonis has mentored hundreds of filmmakers worldwide and helped them to create compelling crowdfunding experiences that not only reach, but also exceed their goals.
A writer and indie filmmaker himself, Trigonis literally wrote the book on Crowdfunding for Filmmakers after running his own Indiegogo campaign for his short film Cerise and surpassing his goal, setting the bar at an all-new high with regards to how online fundraising for independent films should be done. Cerise has since screened at over a dozen film festivals across the country, was nominated for four awards, won an “Award of Merit,” and participated in the Court Métrage at the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival.
Trigons now puts his prowess to the ultimate task as Indiegogo’s specialist for film campaigns, and in the year and a half he's been with Indiegogo, he has coached over 1,000 film campaigns to success, including:Trigonis is currently working with campaigns like Don Cheadle's Miles Ahead while continuing to churn out his own creative projects –– a pair of mystery novels written entirely on his iPhone during his morning and evening commutes, a comic book called Siren's Calling, and juggling a few new film ideas in his spare time.
A writer and indie filmmaker himself, Trigonis literally wrote the book on Crowdfunding for Filmmakers after running his own Indiegogo campaign for his short film Cerise and surpassing his goal, setting the bar at an all-new high with regards to how online fundraising for independent films should be done. Cerise has since screened at over a dozen film festivals across the country, was nominated for four awards, won an “Award of Merit,” and participated in the Court Métrage at the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival.
Trigons now puts his prowess to the ultimate task as Indiegogo’s specialist for film campaigns, and in the year and a half he's been with Indiegogo, he has coached over 1,000 film campaigns to success, including:Trigonis is currently working with campaigns like Don Cheadle's Miles Ahead while continuing to churn out his own creative projects –– a pair of mystery novels written entirely on his iPhone during his morning and evening commutes, a comic book called Siren's Calling, and juggling a few new film ideas in his spare time.
Jul 31, 201401:07:26
Rex Sikes Movie Beat talks w Director, Writer, Producer of Full Circle
In "Full Circle", a dedicated priest comes across a disturbing photo of a child in a casket while he's cleaning out the home of a recently deceased older woman. He finds himself pulled between the spiritual and physical worlds until coming to the unexpected revelation behind the photo. Karla S Bryant began screenwriting by giving the NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Challenge a try. All of her entries placed so she then took SreenwritingU intensive class. Her 1st short story, “Not My Secret to Tell” is optioned by Mondall Films in NYC. Karla adapted Full Circle, her 2nd story, as a screenplay. Currently its in production by Living Storm Productions (LSP). 2 other stories, “Thicker Than Water” and “One More Turn” have both been named as #1 top-rated stories for their respective months on Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope website. Director/Producer for LSP, Jeff Blankenship directed 2 short films written by Craig Olson “Killboy & Krash” and “Stones”. He was DOP on the short “Red Light”, written by Ethan Kanfer. He created a silent film style promo video for Farmmatch.com, a business linking farmers to consumers. His directed “Freud” written by Craig Olson, currently in the film fest circuit.He has owned a video production company that produced video services for commercial and consumer markets. Bryan Royston, a founding LSP member and co-owner, which he started, along with Alex Contreras and David Warner back in 2010, Produces. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.co
Jul 25, 201459:34
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w writer Michael Beckner WS4
Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series" EP 4 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television, His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man. From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discovery's Gold Fever, and he is preparing the Spy Game prequel Muir’s Gambit for production and has adapted his novel Berlin Mesa into a 4 hour mini-series for AMC, Beckner is currently working on City of Lies with director Wolfgang Petersen. upcoming Civil War Event Mini-Series To Appomattox. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com
Jul 24, 201401:28:40
Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats w producer writer actor Lenore Andriel EP2
LENORE ANDRIEL EP 2 producer, writer, actress Lenore Andriel, starred in the western film “Yellow Rock”, returns to the show to discuss producing in film and television. er path forever. Andriel grew up on the east coast, moved to NYC to study with many award-winning teachers. Her theatre work was instantly successful with lead roles from Off-Broadway to Lincoln Center. Her first starring film role was opposite Bo Svenson in Blood Brothers, which led to her continuing to being cast as the “strong female lead”. She then played leads in award-winning independent films in both the u.s. and abroad, including Childhood opposite Tara Fitzgerald, which filmed throughout eastern europe, Midnight Witness, that gave her, with Maxwell Caulfield, and Desperate Measures, additionally starred opposite Paul Rudd, Dennis Haysbert, Paul Johansson, and Miguel Ferrer, to name a few in both film and television. As a voice-over actress she portrays several lead characters in “World Of Warcraft”. The next phase of her career, was to write, produce and star in her own feature, Yellow Rock, Andriel's first venture as a filmmaker paid off, winning her a coveted Best Actress Award, Best Screenplay Shared with Co-Writer Steve Doucette, “Best Picture” multiple times, And Best Producer. Yellow Rock stars Michael Biehn, James Russo, Michael & Eddie Spears has garnered eighteen awards ranging from the prestigious Western Heritage Awards 2012 to the Red Nation Film Awards.
Jul 21, 201401:29:01
Rex Sikes Movie beat chats w director Nick Vallelonga PT 2
Nick Vallelonga, director,(PT 2) producer, writer, actor, developed 1st appeared in the wedding scenes of The Godfather at 12. He had roles in Family Business, Prizzi’s Honor, Goodfellas, and The Pope of Greenwich Village. Nick and writer/director Christopher Coppola teamed up on Deadfall starring Nicolas Cage, Michael Biehn, James Coburn, Charlie Sheen, Peter Fonda, Talia Shire. Nick wrote and directed A Brilliant Disguise starring Tony Denison, Lysette Anthony, and Corbin Bernsen, and Corporate Ladder starring Kathleen Kinmont, Tony Denison, Ben Cross, Jon Polito and Jennifer O'Neil. Nick wrote, produced, directed, acted in In the Kingdom of the Blind. staring William Petersen, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield, Leo Rossi, Kristian Alfonso and Nick's dad, Tony Lip (The Sopranos). In 2005 Nick tested the limits of low-budget HD cinema with Disturbance" (aka Choker) starring himself, Paul Sloan, Colleen Porch, Hayley DuMond and Tony Denison. He produced and directed, All In, starring Dominique Swain, Michael Madsen, Louis Gossett Jr., and James Russo. He produced Machine, with writer director Michael Lazar. It starred Michael Madsen, Neal McDonough, Paul Sloan, James Russo, Michael Lazar and Nick. Then he produced A Modern Twain Story: The Prince and the Pauper, starring Disney’s Cole and Dylan Sprouse, Vincent Spano, DeDee Pfeiffer, Sally Kellerman, Ed Lauter, and Nick. He produced and directed Stiletto, starring Tom Berenger, Michael Biehn, Stana Katic, Paul Sloan, William Forsythe, James Russo, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Kelly Hu, Amanda Brooks, Tony Lip, Dominique Swain and D.B. Sweeney. In 2011, he directed Yellow Rock, starring Michael Biehn, James Russo, Lenore Andriel, Michael Spears and Eddie Spears. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at www.rexsikes.com
Jun 26, 201407:31