The Struggle is REEL

The Struggle is REEL

By Mahalia Ines Pridgett & Erik Francisco Medina

We know firsthand how intense the entertainment industry is. We also know that being a young entrepreneur can be intense and overwhelming. So how do you cope? BY VENTING, OF COURSE! Join us as we chat with entertainment industry professionals across all mediums and young entrepreneurs as we vent about the struggles and antics of our lives!


Hosted by Mahalia Latortue and Erik Francisco Medina.
Produced by Ryan Pak, Mahalia Latortue, and Erik Francisco Medina
Brought to you by Anacaona Pictures
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A Conversation with writer Dominique Johnson!

The Struggle is REELAug 24, 2020
00:00
01:00:01
A Conversation with Emmy-nominated Writer and Director Danielle Nebeliuk!

A Conversation with Emmy-nominated Writer and Director Danielle Nebeliuk!

Danielle Nebeliuk is a 28-year old Jamaican born Emmy-nominated Writer/Director. Following her passion for storytelling in 2017, she moved to Atlanta to pursue an MFA in Film & Television at the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). Within her first quarter at SCAD she pitched for and was hired to create a short film for Sesame Street. After which she was invited to speak on panels at the 42nd Atlanta Film Festival and the 2018 SCAD Animation Fest about the short film entitled, ‘L is for Laundromat’. The short film premiered worldwide throughout the HBO platform on January 12th, 2019. In the Fall of 2018, Danielle interned on the featured film, ‘The Banker’, and was mentored by William Greenfield. She was also selected to operate as the Cinematographer’s assistant where she assisted Charlotte Bruus Christensen for the duration of the film’s principal photography. In the Spring of 2019, Danielle was hired as an office production assistant on the HBO Television show LoveCraft Country. While working on LoveCraft in the Summer of 2019 a music video that Danielle wrote and directed was nominated for a Student Emmy award. Danielle is currently working on her thesis film which she plans to shoot in the upcoming year.  

#director #womeninfilm #jamaicanfilmmaker 

Guest Instagram: @thedutchied  

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue 

 Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina  

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2  

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫 

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!⁠

Nov 05, 202049:31
A Conversation with Latina Actress and Producer Michelle Rivera!

A Conversation with Latina Actress and Producer Michelle Rivera!

Today's guest is Michelle Rivera. Michelle is a  seasoned professional with over  20 years of combined finance, management, performance, and production experience.  She started her entertainment career on the  Off-Broadway stages of  New York while putting her finance degree to use by managing the Latin  American business line at  Brown  Brothers  Harriman  &  Co. on  Wall  Street.   ⁠ ⁠ She relocated to Georgia in 2004 and has performed at the 14th Street  Playhouse, Whole World, and the Aurora Theatre to name a few, and has been seen on hit shows  Nashville, Sleepy  Hollow, and The  Resident, as well as feature films Triple 9, The Nice Guys and Chris McKay’s upcoming sci-fi/action film The Tomorrow War out July 2021. ⁠ ⁠ Michelle has produced and written several short films including the award-winning cross-generational film,  Encuéntrate,  which was distributed internationally by the Shorts Entertainment Network.  She is currently  Executive  Producer alongside  Arthur Wylie in an upcoming thriller written and directed by Jeffrey Reddick scheduled to shoot in early 2021. ⁠ ⁠ Michelle has previously served on the SAG/AFTRA Atlanta Board; Co-Chair of the SAG/AFTRA Atlanta Diversity Committee and currently serves on the Board of Women  In  Film  &  Television  Atlanta as  Chair of the  Scholarship Committee.⁠ ⁠

Guest Instagram: @mriverahuckaby

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

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#producer #actor

Nov 02, 202058:57
A Conversation with Actor and Social Media Influencer Nikki Garza!

A Conversation with Actor and Social Media Influencer Nikki Garza!

Today's guest is Nikki Garza. Nikki is a queer Latina plus-size actor and content creator based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her goal is to create diverse media she didn't see growing up, whether that is in the projects she takes part in or in the content she produces for social media. Sharing her message of personal empowerment, and loving yourself now with her community, she hopes to be the representation that was sorely lacking in her upbringing.

Guest Instagram: @itsnikki,g

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

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#actor #tiktok #queer

Oct 29, 202055:49
A Conversation with All-Around Artist Kayelina Publico!

A Conversation with All-Around Artist Kayelina Publico!

Today's guest is Kayelina Publico! Kayelina is a theater lover, filmmaker, poet, and avid reader and writer. When she’s not fighting for indigenous and women’s rights, she’s making bruschetta and talking to her schnauzer Beanie about new tattoo ideas.⁠ ⁠ 

Guest Instagram: @kayelina

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!⁠#writer #poet #filmmaker

Oct 26, 202001:20:27
A Conversation with talented independent filmmaker Dany Flores!

A Conversation with talented independent filmmaker Dany Flores!

Dany Flores is an Ecuadorian independent filmmaker who is based in Atlanta, GA. She is a producer, writer, and director. Dany got her degree in film and television production at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has produced multiple commercials, music videos, and short films. Her latest short Vanilla Milkshake is currently touring the festival circle and has played in Out on Film Atlanta Film Festival, Louisiana LGBT+ festival, NYIFA, Golden Earth Film Awards, HER International, and Red Wood Film Fest. Dany is currently working as an assistant producer for a Viacom CBS film scheduled to premiere in 2022.

Guest Instagram: @danyflores96

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

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Oct 22, 202055:27
A Conversation with Oscar Nominated Art Director and Production Designer David L. Synder!

A Conversation with Oscar Nominated Art Director and Production Designer David L. Synder!

David L. Snyder became obsessed with show business at H.C. Technical High School in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. Together with classmates Lance Sherman, Grover Washington, Jr. and Michael Di Figlia (who would soon become Michael Bennett, creator of Broadway's "A Chorus Line") staged the 1959 "Tech High Musical Revue."

After stumbling through life as a rock 'n' roll drummer, architectural designer, graphic designer and theatrical stage designer he began his Hollywood career as the assistant art director on the 50th Annual Academy Awards©. Following a year in 'live' television, David was soon recruited by Universal Studios and spent a year and a half art directing science fiction television series such as "Galactica 1980", "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", "The Incredible Hulk" and "Captain America".

David went on to design Taylor Hackford's feature directorial debut, "The Idolmaker" and soon returned to science-fiction as the art director on Ridley Scott's 1982 future-noir classic "Blade Runner". David received an Academy Award© nomination for Best Art Direction he shared with Lawrence G. Paull, the film's production designer. The film was also awarded the British Academy Award (BAFTA©) for Best Production Design/Art Direction.

Since that time he has designed nearly fifty feature films including "Into The Rainbow 3D", "The Whole Nine Yards", "The One", "Soldier", "Demolition Man", "Super Mario Bros.", "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" and Tim Burton's cult classic feature film directorial debut, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". In 1994 he designed "Rainbow", the motion picture Industry's first live-action, digital to 35mm theatrical feature film starring & directed by Bob Hoskins.

Snyder has appeared as a guest speaker on the subject 'the art of motion picture design' at The 1st Annual Tokyo International Film Festival; The American Film Institute; The University of California at Los Angeles and the 45th Annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center. There, an academic panel discussion was followed by the U.S. premiere of "Blade Runner-The Final Cut", celebrating the film's 25th Anniversary. David next appeared with the cast & creative team for the world premiere of "Untitled" at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival; was invited by New York's Museum of Modern Art to introduce "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" at the 2009-10 Tim Burton Retrospective and he was a member of the "Blade Runner @ 30" panel at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con and a MAGI 3D seminar with "Blade Runner" and "Brainstorm" colleague Douglas Trumbull held at China Central Television / CCTV headquarters in Beijing, China in January 2015. Most recently David appeared at the 2017 Savannah Film Festival production design panel to speak on the subject of the art direction of "Blade Runner" etc.

Industry memberships include The Directors Guild of America, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where he served on the Art Directors Branch Executive Committee for 4 years, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences , and The Art Directors Guild

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!⁠

Oct 19, 202001:22:16
We're on a Hiatus!

We're on a Hiatus!

We're going on a season hiatus, but we'll be back Oct 19th!  Take this time to catch up on our past episodes! See you soon! 😎

Sep 28, 202000:30
A Producer's Life with Head of TEDTalk Juliet Blake!

A Producer's Life with Head of TEDTalk Juliet Blake!

Juliet Blake is a British-American film, television and web producer. She is Head of Television for TED Talks.Blake executive produced the TED Talks Live TV series for PBS and produces TED Talks India Nayi Soch a TV series on Star Plus in India produced in Hindi, hosted by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.Blake began her career developing successful TV franchises for a variety of networks and production companies in the US and the UK, including the BBC1 series Beast. In 2000, Blake was promoted to executive vice-president and co-head of Jim Henson Television, where she was responsible for all aspects of the company's worldwide television operations, including global oversight of the Muppet franchise. She developed and produced the Muppets' first TV-movie It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie.  She produced The Hundred Foot Journey, a film starring Helen Mirren and Om Puri, shot in France and India, and directed by Lasse Hallstrom with producing partners Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. Blake also developed feature films for Arnie Messer and Mike Medavoy's Phoenix Pictures, including the thriller Blood Relatives.⁠

Juliet’s Instagram: @julietrblake

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!⁠

#womeninfilm #producer #TEDtalk 

Sep 24, 202059:58
A Conversation with Editor Michael Bolger!

A Conversation with Editor Michael Bolger!

Today's guest is Michael Bolger! He is a Director, Editor and Writer currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael works as an adjunct Professor of Post Production at the Georgia Film Academy. He graduated from SCAD Atlanta in 2020 with an MFA in Film and Television. In 2015, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University in addition to the Best Director Award and the McCaskey Spirit Award. Michael has directed and edited numerous projects ranging from short films, brand films, music videos, real-estate tour videos, interview segments and live performances. ⁠ ⁠ 

Emily’s Instagram: @bolger_thefilmguy

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#director #filmmaker #podcast⁠

Sep 21, 202056:28
A Conversation with 2D Animator and Designer Emily Rodriguez!

A Conversation with 2D Animator and Designer Emily Rodriguez!

22-year-old Emily Rodriguez is a 2D Animator and Designer based out of Atlanta, GA. Emily is creative, passionate, loves to travel and play her ukulele in her free time. With a BFA in Animation under her belt, she now a new hire at Awesome Incorporated!⁠ ⁠

Emily’s Instagram: @emilyrod.art

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

 #animator #womeninfilm #designer

Sep 17, 202001:08:13
A Conversation with Latina Actress and Producer Denise Santos!

A Conversation with Latina Actress and Producer Denise Santos!

Denise Santos was born and raised in Miami, Florida by parents who immigrated from Ecuador and Colombia. A fluent Spanish and English speaker, thanks to her mother who insisted that she speak Spanish at home. Some on screen credits include, The Resident (Fox), MacGyver (CBS), Family Blood (Netflix), and 30+ National and Regional commercials. A few stage credits include, Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, Carmen Rivera's La Gringa, and Alan Ball's Five Women Wearing The Same Dress. Denise is also apart of Latinas In Media Atlanta. An Atlanta community of Latinas in the performing arts who advocate for inclusion & diversity in the media.⁠ 

Denise’s Instagram: @denisepsantos1

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

⁠ #actress #latinaactress #latinaproducer

Sep 14, 202001:10:42
Continuity, Film, and more with Script Supervisor Annie Thompson!

Continuity, Film, and more with Script Supervisor Annie Thompson!

Today’s guest is Annie Thompson. Annie is a Script Supervisor based in Atlanta, GA. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a degree in Entertainment and Media Studies and worked on several students while there.

Annie’s Instagram: @anniethompsonn

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#scriptsupervisor #atlanta #film

Sep 10, 202054:30
Industry Talk with Angie Castillo!

Industry Talk with Angie Castillo!

Today’s guest is Angie Castillo. Angie is a Latina Emmy-nominated media professional and producer with 10 years of experience in news-gathering, writing, package and field production, video editing, digital platforms and breaking news. She studied Journalism at Florida International University. Her past work experiences include working on CNN On Air Presentations, CNN ESPAÑOL, and even the Miami Heat. Angie is also an up and coming actress and the Atlanta Ambassador for the Latino Filmmakers Network. LFN aims to connect, inspire, educate and create opportunities for the Latino community while also promoting diversity inclusion in Hollywood.⁠

Angie’s Instagram: @angiecastilloxo

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#latinaactress #producer #media #atlantaactor

Sep 07, 202001:09:38
The Creative's Process with Kayla Sutton!

The Creative's Process with Kayla Sutton!

Kayla Sutton is an American actress, writer and director. She made her theater debut in 2015 performing in a local Atlanta stage plays and has since transitioned from theater to film. You can catch Kayla in several independent features, promotions, and short films. Her short screenplay SSB has won 'Best Comedy Short Screenplay' at the 2019 Georgia Shorts Film Festival and has been an official selection in festivals such as the Independent Talents International Film Festival 2019 and the Indie Visions Film Festival 2019.⁠

Kayla’s Instagram: @kaylasuttons

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#actor #actress #writer #film #podcast

Sep 03, 202058:20
A Conversation with Haitian Filmmaker Luner Eugene!

A Conversation with Haitian Filmmaker Luner Eugene!

Today's guest is Luner Eugene. Luner is a director, writer, producer, and cinematographer born in Port-de-Paix, Haiti. At the age of 9, he migrated to the United States to join his parents who had gone ahead years prior to pave the way for Luner to have every chance at realizing the American Dream.⁠ Luner directs and produces short films, web series, and music videos mainly for independent artists. In 2008, he produced and entered his first short film "Employed" for the Johnson & Johnson BET Lens on Talent Film Contest, which started the filmmaking bug. Later, Luner's "Poukisa Music Video" by the group GazzmanDisip, featuring Richard Cave was nominated for best cinematography by the Widescreen Film and Music Festival. Currently, Luner is directing the hit web series, Bae Night Season 2. Season 1 was nominated for four categories in the 2018 Miami Web Festival. Luner won the Best Cinematography Award; leading actress, Sandra Justice, won the Best Actress Award; and the series won the Best of the Fest Award.  Luner also wrote, directed and produced the feature film, "Loving Till it Hurts," a romantic drama about a lonely, unhappy housewife who runs into an old high school friend at a time when she is experiencing emotional abandonment and struggling to maintain the love for her husband.⁠

Luner’s Instagram: @lunerversalfilm

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#haitianfilmmaker #film #director #podcast⁠

Aug 31, 202059:08
Acting Methods, Representation, and more with James Sosa!

Acting Methods, Representation, and more with James Sosa!

Today's guest is James Sosa Jr. James is an actor from Bronx, New York , known for Queen of the South (2016), MacGyver (2016) and Gray Ground (2018). He was born to a Puerto Rican family and he’s extremely proud of his ancestry. James is known to actively know to advocate for actors of color in the industry and accurate representation of brown and black characters. James has been acting more than a decade and is hungrier than ever. ⁠

Jame’s Instagram: @James.sjr

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#latino #actor #film #indiefilm #podcast

Aug 27, 202046:30
A Conversation with writer Dominique Johnson!

A Conversation with writer Dominique Johnson!

Dominique S. Johnson is a Writing Professor, Romance author, and freelance writer. She's a proud HBCU grad and holds an MFA in Writing from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She explores all areas of writing including fiction, journalism, and new media writing. Her work is influenced by her experiences, in hopes of bringing attention to topics not discussed enough. She recently completed her debut novel, Flip the Script, and is seeking representation with a literary agent. ⁠

Dominique's Instagram: @dominiquesjohnson

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!

#blackwriter #writer #film #indiefilm #podcast

Aug 24, 202001:00:01
Comedy, Stand Up, and more with Brandon J. Pridgett!

Comedy, Stand Up, and more with Brandon J. Pridgett!

Today’s guest is Brandon Joel Pridgett. Brandon is a stand-up comedian, director, and writer. Brandon was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas and from a young age, was always passionate about film and television. His favorite movies include Jurassic Park, John Wick, Goodfellas, The Godfather. As a Trinidadian-American, Brandon is passionate about bringing diversity to the forefront.⁠ He even has a podcast called "The Art of the Conversation" where he has intriguing conversations with people of different backgrounds.⁠ TW: Harvey Weinstein is mentioned in today’s episode. To further add to our conversation, we at the Struggle Is REEL believe and support victims of assault. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Brandon’s Instagram: @joel_the_wise Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2 💫 Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com 💫 Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!⁠ #comedy #director #writer #podcast --- This episode is sponsored by Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-struggle-is-reel/support
Aug 20, 202055:14
The Intersectionality of Culture, Music, and Film with Nasim!

The Intersectionality of Culture, Music, and Film with Nasim!

Nasim is a Puerto Rican and Persian actress, singer, and writer. A triple threat in the making, Nasim is a rising star based in Atlanta. Nasim started singing at the age of nine. She moved to Atlanta for the music and film scene. Garnering the attention of industry professionals, she has been collaborating with talented songwriters to create her own sound. Nasim was interviewed by Georgia Hollywood Review and Voyage ATL to share her first single What Love Is–a futuristic dance bop illustrating the complex nature of love. Moving forward, she is eager to bring her Puerto Rican and Persian identity to her records. Her acting credits include The Baker & The Beauty, Creepshow, and Doom Patrol, and several commercials in the Southeast. Nasim is signed with Privilege Talent Agency.⁠

Nasim’s Instagram: @therealnasim

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

💫Check out our merch store! www.struggleisreelpodcast.com💫

Don't forget to leave us a review of Apple Podcast, Anchor.fm, Google Podcast and Spotify!⁠

#actress #singer #writer #podcast

Aug 17, 202001:11:39
Inclusion, Acting, and more with Gabriella Ortiz!
Aug 13, 202001:10:45
Music Videos and Film with Nick Tabidze!

Music Videos and Film with Nick Tabidze!

Today's guest is Nick Tabidze. Nick is a director, actor, photographer, and DP. Hailing from West Virginia, Nick He is an energetic practitioner of the arts and sciences. After earning his undergraduate degree in biology, Nick chose to pursue storytelling and documentary filmmaking and received his Masters of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University. During his undergraduate career, Nick acted in theatrical productions and directed several award winning short films, two of which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Nick currently works at RiTE Media group where he directs, edits, and DPs music videos.⁠ Nick was also the DP on Mahalia's thesis film Chocolate Thunder!

Nick’s Instagram: @nicktabidze

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue 

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina 

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

website: www.struggleisreelpodcast.com

Aug 10, 202058:05
Representation, The Industry, and more with Sofía Palmero!

Representation, The Industry, and more with Sofía Palmero!

This week we have the pleasure of interviewing queer Latina actress and writer Sofía Palmero. Sofía is an actor, writer, dramaturg, and director in Atlanta, GA. You might have seen her in Out Front Theatre’s Bull in a China Shop, Vernal And Sere Theatre’s Spirits to Enforce, or Shakespeare on Draught’s Henry IV & V. On screen, you can see her in the musical short Sonorous. She was featured in the AJC as a “Playwright to Watch in 2020.” Her short plays, Harina Pan and Primavera premiered at the Latinas in Media Atlanta Showcase (2018 and 2019). Another short piece, To Build a Home, was featured in Aurora Theatre’s Festival de Microteatro. Most recently, the full length iteration of Harina Pan was selected for development through the Table Series with Working Title Playwrights. In her work, Sofia explores queerness, Latinidad, and what it means to connect meaningfully. Within and outside her work, Sofia fights to empower marginalized artists to share their stories and challenge conceptions of what the world does, and could, look like. She also starred in @erikfranciscomedina 's thesis film @sonorousthemusical.⁠ 

Sofía’s Instagram: @sofia_withanf 

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue 

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina 

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity2

Aug 06, 202001:08:13
A Conversation with Showrunner Joan Rater!

A Conversation with Showrunner Joan Rater!

Joan Rater is an American television producer and screenwriter. Her most notable work has been for the medical drama Grey's Anatomy, for which she has served as writer, producer and supervising producer for over fifty separate episodes. She is married to Tony Phelan who also works on the show. She has been nominated, along with the rest of the Grey's Anatomy crew, for two Emmys in 2006 and 2007, both for "Outstanding Drama Series". Apart from her Grey's Anatomy producing and directorial work, she has worked mainly as a writer on television series including Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Fling, Threat Matrix, MDs and Push, Nevada. She has also produced for Law & Order: Trial by Jury and served as an executive story editor on Threat Matrix and 10-8: Officers on Duty.⁠ Recently she and Tony created the NBC drama series Council of Dads.

Joan's Instagram: @joanrater

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity21

Jul 29, 202058:45
Industry Talk with Kaylon Hunt!

Industry Talk with Kaylon Hunt!

Kaylon is an award-winning filmmaker and actor. His work has been featured in national media outlets including IndieWire and Variety Magazine, which deemed him "One to Watch" in their Hollywood New Leaders issue. Kaylon made his first directing effort with his comic book-inspired short film, Hero Story (2012), that premiered at the Comic-Con International Film Festival. He soon began working for their newly formed JuVee Productions where @violadavis and Julius Tennon became mentors to him, offering guidance through his career and encouraging him to maintain his own voice. He performed in the company's first produced stage endeavor, Camp Logan, with critics giving especially high marks for the strong performances of the ensemble cast; the production won three NAACP Theatre Awards. The company's award-winning short film The Brink (2015), which Hunt wrote and starred in, found acclaim among festival audiences and critics. Hunt continues to act, write, and produce alongside playing a key creative role as VP of Development and Production within @JuVeeProductions to develop and produce inclusive, character-driven narratives.⁠

Kaylon's Instagram: @kaylon_hunt

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity21

Jul 22, 202001:06:07
Television, Music, and more with Frank Radice!

Television, Music, and more with Frank Radice!

Today's guest is Frank Radice! Frank is a television industry executive, businessman and author. He resides in New York City and London, England. Radice currently serves as Managing Partner of VIDA F.R. Company, a promotion, marketing, media, and consulting firm with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and London. Radice also serves as the Expert-in-Residence at Definition 6, an Atlanta-based unified digital marketing agency. In 2007, he oversaw the marketing of “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" which became a successful online NBC Today Show franchise and was sold to Hyundai Motors under a sponsorship agreement. Radice also coordinated a deal agreement between NBC Universal and Procter & Gamble that launched petside.com a web site catering to the pet industry.⁠ 

Frank's Instagram: @fradice

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity21

Visit www.struggleisreelpodcast.com for updates, merchandise, and more!

Jul 15, 202001:12:16
We're Back and Ready to Roll!

We're Back and Ready to Roll!

After a long hiatus, The Struggle Is REEL is back with new episodes! We switched up our format and even added a co-host! 

Today's guest is Natasha Sequeira! Natasha Sequeira is an Anglo-Indian writer, director and producer. She graduated from M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai, India with a bachelor's degree in Electronic Media. Natasha has previously worked in the Kollywood television industry, and as an editor for a children's educational publishing company. Her passion for all things film and television led her to pursue her M.F.A. in Film and Television Broadcasting at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia. Since her enrollment in Fall 2017, she has written, directed and produced (in varying capacities) over twenty short films, brand films, music videos, fashion films, and more. She is set to make her directorial debut with her thesis film 'Beyond Customs' which is scheduled to enter the festival circuit in 2020, along with four other short films she is producing.⁠ ⁠

Natasha's Instagram: @tasha2014

Natasha's Thesis Film: @beyondcustoms.film

Host Instagram: @mahalialatortue

Co-Host Instagram: @erikfranciscomedina

Producer & Audio Engineer: @paksanity21

Visit www.struggleisreelpodcast.com for updates, merchandise, and more!

Jul 08, 202058:13
Episode 08: Black Hollywood

Episode 08: Black Hollywood

This is the last episode of this season! It’s been a great ride, and we are excited to see what’s next for #TheStruggleIsReel!

For this episode, the fantastic duo of Devin McGhee and Dominique Johnson! Thank you, ladies, for being phenomenal guests! Our topic of the day is Black Hollywood. We talk about all our favorite Black films, actors, and of course Black Panther.

Instagrams:
@rhoyal_monet
@devinkielle
@dominiquesjohnson

#Podcast #Filmmakers
Aug 07, 201801:04:12
Episode 07: Finals Week

Episode 07: Finals Week

In this episode we talk about the stresses of finals week and making it through to the home stretch! I'm joined by Anna Scalzi and Kerbi Slusser.

Instagrams:
@rhoyal_monet
@paksanity21
@scalzi89
Jul 21, 201853:02
Episode 06: Meet Your Teacher with Quinlan Orear

Episode 06: Meet Your Teacher with Quinlan Orear

Today’s episode is a little different from what we typically do. This segment is called Meet your Teacher. We sit down and have a chat with SCAD Atlanta Professor Quinlan Orear. We talk about everything a film student needs to know. Check it out! 🎧
Jul 14, 201850:12
Episode 5: Production Horror Stories

Episode 5: Production Horror Stories

Have you ever been on a set where it was not going to plan? Well, today's episode, we talk about set horror stories!

Speakers:
Jason Barrera - Instagram @jasonjoeb82

Alange Jacobs - Instagram @ajpayday

Producer:
Mahalia Latortue - Instagram @rhoyal_monet

Associate Producers:
Ryan Pak - Instagram @paksanity21
Narah Pena - Instagram @thenarahpena
Jul 10, 201851:07
Episode 04: Guilty Pleasures

Episode 04: Guilty Pleasures

Today's episode features SCAD Film Graduate Students Narah Pena and Ryan Pak. We discuss what our guilty pleasures in film and television. DON'T JUDGE US!

@rhoyal_monet
@paksanity21
@thenarahpena
Jun 30, 201851:32
Episode 03: William Greenfield
Jun 22, 201859:44
Episode 02: Whatever Comes To Mind!

Episode 02: Whatever Comes To Mind!

Joining me on this episode is Angelica Marie George and Manahar Kumar! We discuss everything from Childish Gambino's This Is America to on set horror stories.
@rhoyal_monet
@paksanity21
@angelicamarie24g
@mankmar
Jun 15, 201801:06:36
Episode 01: Movies We Haven't Seen...But Probably Should Have

Episode 01: Movies We Haven't Seen...But Probably Should Have

The very first episode of The Struggle Is Reel! Today's guests are Milan Pompey Williams, Erik Francisco Medina, and Erwin Villanueva. The topic of the day is "Movies We Haven't Seen...But Probably Should Have." Follow us on Instagram @struggleisreel
@rhoyal_monet
@paksanity21
@mimsterunnie
@erwincomsic
@erikfranciscomedina
Jun 15, 201801:06:21
Regular Commercial

Regular Commercial

15 second commercial.
Jun 06, 201800:17