Amanda Ray: The Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival and Sci-Fi Storytelling

In this episode I speak to Paul Blom from the SA Horrorfest which has been running for 19 years in South Africa. 2024 marks it's 20th year! Paul is also the Festival director for Celludrioid, South Africa's only Sci Fi, fantasy and anime genre festival. We chat about the Sci Fi and Horror genres, how Paul connected with the Soskia twins, starting and running a film festival and the challenges, what makes a good horror film, and the scariest movie Paul has ever seen. Don't miss the SA HorrorFest and Celludriod taking place in 2024. See you there. If you like this episode and love indie film, please do subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! https://filmfreeway.com/SouthAfricanHorrorFest https://filmfreeway.com/Celludroid (submissions now open) https://www.horrorfest.info/ Follow @sahorrorfest on IG. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

In this weeks episode I speak to Atlanta based actor Cory Chapman. You can see him currently on Hightown on Starz and Hulu. Cory is known for his roles on The Righteous Gemstones, Better Caul Saul, Stranger Things, and for playing Margot Robbie's brother in I, Tonya. I asked Cory about typecasting, Atlanta versus LA, how to stay motivated when it gets slow, the most challenging role he has has to play, audition advice, and off course, the infamous boob grab scene in I, Tonya. Follow Cory @thecorychapman on IG for the latest updates and be sure to check him out in High Town. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

Tariq Simmons is a writer/director based in Atlanta. He speaks about the writing and directing process for his sci-fi short Evolution and his film journey from working in production at Tyler Perry Studios to becoming staff writer on the hit show BMF on Starz. Tariq Simmons is the Founder and CEO of his own company called Diaspora Dreams Production Ltd., which he started in 2020. Check out his latest projects on @thedirectortariq and check out BMF on Starz. Tariq's YouTube where you can watch Evolution https://m.youtube.com/@tariqsimmons2455 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

This week I speak with my friend, cat mom, actor and musician Nomi Lotuz all the way in Denmark about what it means to practice allowing ourselves to show up authentically, and let go of the need to do what every one else is doing so we can do US more often. We speak about navigating the messiness of being a human, how to cultivate self worth and let go of the "should dos," and the awkwardness of telling your crush you like them. Follow Nomi on IG @nomilotuz and check out her podcast I Seng Med Nomi (In Bed with Nomi) https://open.spotify.com/show/5uapX4H3a1bHa6vHV9Z7qP?si=eMkElJdqTJyjEngfOWJxtg --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

In this weeks episode I catch up with Monde Kawana. Monde is a producer at award winning production company Bench Films and is also a city producer for the 48 Hour Film Project in Cape Town. She shares her insights into producing, the qualities that make a good producer, filmmaking, making a short versus a feature, and also some tips for successfully making a film in 48 hours. Follow Monde @benchfilms and also @capetown48hfp --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

Accomplished actress Wendy Braun has enjoyed a dynamic career, recently appearing on four seasons of the celebrated Netflix series, Atypical, as well as guest appearances on This Is Us, Grey's Anatomy, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Criminal Minds to name a few. With over 80 TV + Film credits, over 100 commercials and thousands of voiceovers, Wendy has also combined decades of invaluable professional experience with her passion for inspiring others. She is also a Breakthrough Coach and the CEO + founder of ActorInspiration.com, and was recently featured in Forbes for her game-changing Success Breakthrough Workshop online course (now in over 25 countries) and powerful guided meditations that have helped thousands of creatives overcome obstacles and create new levels of success, joy and fulfillment. Known as powerhouse global speaker and the guiding light behind many success stories, Authority Magazine declared Wendy one of their “Inspirational Women In Hollywood.” Her clients include Series Regulars, Broadway performers and Award-Winning stage and screen actors, as well as directors, producers, writers and entrepreneurs. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two exuberantly active sons and their Rottweiler-Boxer rescue dog. 🎉YOU’RE INVITED! Join Wendy for an impactful + empowering Success Breakthrough Experience, a Free 5 Day Virtual Event, designed to help you release blocks, re-imagine what's possible and learn the exact steps to making this your best year yet. ➡️ Join the party here: Actorinspiration.com/bestyearyet 🎁 FREE GIFT: Enjoy a free guided meditation to help you create success while you sleep and wake up each morning feeling renewed, refreshed and confident. ➡️ Download "Creating Success While You Sleep” here: ActorInspiration.com/sleep 👇CONNECT WITH WENDY: Connect with Wendy Braun for #ActorInspiration Website: http://www.ActorInspiration.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/actorinspirit Follow Wendy Braun's Acting Career: Website: http://www.WendyBraun.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/mswendybraun --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

Award winning director and writer of shorts Sanguine and Metamorph Cameron Scott Hadlow shares his process in writing, directing, how the two go hand in hand, and why locations are characters. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

In this episode I connect with writer podcaster and cat dad Will Wallace. Will was a writer for Teen Wolf on MTV and co-hosts Return to Beacon Hills, a Teen Wolf rewatch podcast. Will shares about his journey as a writer, why Teen Wolf is a great show, and gives us a glimpse into the behind the scenes of the writer's on the show. He also offers insight on how to beat writers block and offers perspective on the Writer's Strike. Will's IG is @willwritesgood and be sure to check out the Teen Wolf rewatch podcast (IG @rtbhpodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/return-to-beacon-hills/id1570695975 PS if you don't know what a VHS is, ask Chat GPT --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

In this episode I speak to AMAW NY On Camera Acting Coach Jason Buyer about his app Need A Reader. As a former Casting Director, Jason offers tips for actors on self tapes, auditions and booking the job. We talk about the Need A Reader App Jason developed which allows actors to get paid to be a reader and also to find readers world wide to self tape with. Jason shares advice from his experience in casting on how to stand out in auditions and self tapes, what to do if you have actions in self tapes /auditions, choosing the best take, and what actor's can do for their careers during the Writer's Strike. Email Jason at [email protected] and download the Need A Reader app on Apple (available soon on Android). Need a Reader App (only on Apple devices currently) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/need-a-reader-actor-app/id1329677465 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support

In this episode I speak to the Festival Director and Founder the Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival Amanda Ray on starting and growing the festival, and the elements of a good sci-fi film. If you are a sci-fi fan or filmmaker this one is one to listen to! www.atlantascififilmfestival.com filmfreeway.com/AtlantaSCIFIfilmfestival --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onthejourneypodcast/support