Ghizal Hasan - Writer, Sportscaster - Eye on the Curveball

What do philosophy and comedy have to do with baseball? For writer Ghizal Hasan, they’re links on his circuitous path to becoming a popular a play-by-play sports caster. We’ll talk about being a first-generation American, the importance of college radio, wonder if Greta Gerwig is a fan of Tiger Trap.

For more from Ghizal, visit his site: ghizalhasan.com

Twitter & Insta: @GhizalHasan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBroadcastersTale

We talk about so many things from Wildwood, New Jersey, to our formative years at KUCI. Influences like UCLA's Linda Voorhees, Spike Lee's film diary of Malcolm X, David Chase and the Sopranos, TV legend James Garner, the amazing TedxTalk by Bomani Jones on the freedom of structure, Supernaut - the Nine Inch Nails song I should have played that time, the great Lew Hunter and our episode with his collaborator Meg Gifford, indie legends Tiger Trap, and some helpful thoughts for screenwriters on the importance of transitions. 

As always, more info on our screenwriting workshops and services is here. 

Carla Renata - Actress, Singer, The Curvy Critic - Listen For What’s Good

Carla Renata grew up with a passion for the stage and voice to match that landed her on Broadway with the likes of Queen and Matthew Broderick. She parlayed her insider understanding of story and her love of movies into a second career as The Curvy Critic. We talk about critiquing film, changing minds in the room, and the importance of inclusion in what stories are being told now. 

You can find Carla @thecurvycritic and on her website.

We talk about her custom signage from Etched on Wood, director Julie Taymor and the Lion King, Queen, Turner Classic Movies, the film Miss Juneteenth, the novel Americanah, Bobby Cannavale, Nicole Beharie, the film Farewell Amor by Ekwa Msangi.

We also reference Carla's work on Roger Ebert's site, earlier Hearthside episodes with writer Liz Hara and with director Wanjiru Njendu,

And this LA Times article she's part of on inclusion and diversity in the world of film criticism. 

As always, more on our screenwriting workshops and writing support is here. 

Clarissa Jacobson - Writer, Producer - Short Film Strategy

Figuring out the craft of filmmaking is a lot. Figuring out how to take the thing you poured your heart and soul into and get it out to an adoring public can be even harder. For filmmaker Clarissa Jacobson, a successful festival run gave her an idea: write a book about everything she learned to make it easier for others. We about film festival strategy, dealing with rejection, and importance of kindness.

Find more Clarissa at:

rebelminx.com

heyimclarissaj.com

lunchladiesmovie.com

Buy her book

Instagram: @lunchladiesmove   @rebelminx_

Facebook: @lunchladiesmovie

Twitter: @lunchladiesfilm   @RebelMinx_

Pinterest: @lunchladiesmovie

Things we talk about include our love of Duran Duran, the amazing show Hacks, wisdom shared (in earlier Hearthside episodes) by distributor Lindsay Lanzillotta, and festival programmer Drea Clark. 

As always, you can find out more about our screenwriting workshops, retreats, and support here. 

Asdru Sierra - Musician, Composer, Ambassador - Ozomatli

The grandson of a renowned bolero and mambo vocalist from Tabasco, Mexico, Asdru grew up in LA with music in his veins. His pursuit of Jazz and world music has lead to amazing pieces that get to the heart, address social justice issues, and get folks up on the dance floor. It’s also led to Grammys, being a cultural ambassador for the US State Department and performing for the Obamas. We talk about his creative journey and the stories he conveys through music. 

Some of Asdru's musical touchstones we talk about include Miles Davis' Kind of Blue and Green Haze, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Charlie Haden, and Santana. 

In entertainment we talk about Drew Barrymore's Never Been Kissed, Yo Gabba Gabba, the Fantasy Island reboot, and NPR. 

Asdru's projects include Ozomatli (obviously), Abstrakto with Balthazar Getty, Trio Retro, and his own stuff including those T-shirts we mention. 

We talk about the story class we met in (again) by Lynn Ferguson and her own Hearthside Salon's episode. My story there. 

You can find Asdru on Twitter and Instagram. 

As always, you can find out more about PageCraft's screenwriting workshops and coaching here. 

Samantha Pestana-Markey - Filmmaker, Costume Designer - “I’m [Not] OK”

Filmmaker Samantha Pestana-Markey grew up with a passion for texture and story. As a queer storyteller, they're driven to share a different point of view from the heteronormative stories dominating the airwaves. Their autobiographical/fiction short film, I’m [Not] OK, deals with the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, as well as first love between two queer high schoolers. They also share about how their work in costume design fills in story and about getting to work with the likes of Bruce Campbell. 

Note: there are unbleeped swear words in this episode.

Find Samantha on Social Media:

Instagram: @documenting_samantha

Instagram for the film: @imnotokayfilm

FB for the film: @imnotokaymovie

twitter: 

@Samantha Markey 

@imnotokayfilm

The film's trailer.

And things we talk about including films they've designed for: Black Friday, with Bruce Campbell, and The Mothership, with Halle Berry. 

And other stuff we like: My Chemical Romance which inspired their film's title, and of course the chance to impress Sir Patrick Stewart. 

As always, you can find more on our PageCraft screenwriting workshops and community here. 

Lynn Ferguson - Storyteller, Writer - The Story Is The Connection

Since there have been humans living together in groups there has been story. It’s how we understand the world around us and our place in it. Most importantly, according to Lynn Ferguson, it’s how we connect. As a writer and long-time story coach, Lynn is an expert in making our stories resonate with those who hear them. As an actor and hilarious force of nature, she’s accumulated her fair share of Hollywood tales. We’ll talk BBC, Chicken Run, and how to survive and thrive as a Scot in LA shepherding storytellers.

A note to listeners, there are unbeeped swear words in this episode. 

You can find more about Lynn's classes at You Tell Yours. 

More about Lynn herself here and here.  

Her illustrious twitter @lynnfergy.

We talk about Sam Shaber's IVFU podcast as well as my own live story telling event thanks to Lynn's coaching. 

Katy Haber - Film Executive - Real Riches: Not Your Average Charity Work

It’s hard to know where to begin when talking about a legend. Or to a legend. British production executive Katy Haber has an MBE from the Queen; she’s a founding member of BAFTA; she worked with Sam Peckinpah on eight of his films; and she was instrumental in a little film called Blade Runner. Not enough? Her family fled the Nazis, and in the middle of great success here in LA, Katy took a left turn in her career and became the Executive Director of an innovative homeless shelter on Skid Row, called The Dome Village, creating some amazing charity and outreach programs including The Compton Cricket Club. Her life deserves a movie of its own. I talk with her about life, movies, and real family.

In our third conversation, Katy talks about the non-profit work that became her passion, using her good fortune to help others. 

We talk about the LA Riots, The Dome Village, Cricket, Ted Hayes, BAFTA, Cricket Outta Compton, Katy's ted Talk, the Compton Cricket Club, and InnerCity Shakespeare. 

As always, more on PageCraft's screenwriting workshops is here. 

Katy Haber - Film Executive - Saving Bladerunner and Other Stories From a Life in Film

It’s hard to know where to begin when talking about a legend. Or to a legend. British production executive Katy Haber has an MBE from the Queen; she’s a founding member of BAFTA; she worked with Sam Peckinpah on eight of his films; and she was instrumental in a little film called Blade Runner. Not enough? Her family fled the Nazis, and in the middle of great success here in LA, Katy took a left turn in her career and became the Executive Director of an innovative homeless shelter on Skid Row, called The Dome Village, creating some amazing charity and outreach programs including The Compton Cricket Club. Her life deserves a movie of its own. I talk with her about life, movies, and real family.

Katy and I touch on many figures and films from her career including Sam Pekinpah, Straw Dogs, Prudence and the Pill, Blade Runner, Ridley Scott, Wimbledon, Michael Cimino, The Deer Hunter, The Sicilian, Gore Vidal, Mario Puzo, Steve McQueen, Ali McGraw, Philip K Dick, The Kid Stays in the Picture, Robert Evans, and the Chateau Marmont.

The article about her saving Blade Runner. 

And as always, more information about PageCraft Screenwriting workshops and services is here.

Katy Haber - Film Executive - Finding Family Roots Buried by WW2

It’s hard to know where to begin when talking about a legend. Or to a legend. British production executive Katy Haber has an MBE from the Queen; she’s a founding member of BAFTA; she worked with Sam Peckinpah on eight of his films; and she was instrumental in a little film called Blade Runner. Not enough? Her family fled the Nazis, and in the middle of great success here in LA, Katy took a left turn in her career and became the Executive Director of an innovative homeless shelter on Skid Row, called The Dome Village, creating some amazing charity and outreach programs including The Compton Cricket Club. Her life deserves a movie of its own. I talk with her about life, movies, and real family.

For the first of our three conversations, we focus on her family history.

We talk about Theresienstadt, Prague, The Pinkas Museum, and the children's opera Brundibar. 

As always, more in PageCraft Screenwriting workshops is here. 

Liberty Worth - Textile Designer/Artist - Story Threads: Holding Space for Grief

When words fail, images and colors can reach our hearts like nothing else. Images we can wrap around us can be just the comfort our aching hearts need. As fiber artist Liberty Worth says, “Textiles have an amazing ability to hold memory.” Part of her creative output is the work she does with families to create stunning memory quilts from the clothes of a lost loved one. While we reel from a pandemic, Liberty works to help us grieve our losses. We talk about the power of family, story, and using your talents for good.  

Please check out Liberty's work here. Her Insta is @libertyworthart.

We talk about Silver Spoons, the film Tree of Life, the art of Silvia Gallini, and her Hearthside Salon episode. 

As always, info and registration for our screenwriting workshop and coaching is at PageCraftWriting.