First Act Break

Join freelance editor Tammy Premchan, whose vibrant career in LA is a testament to creativity and perseverance. She shares her journey from childhood dreams to navigating the rigorous USC film school, emphasizing the importance of mentorship. Tammy discusses the art of film editing, balancing intuition and technical skills, and the dynamics of collaboration in both TV and feature films. Delve into her insights on avoiding burnout, embracing diverse narratives, and making the most of side hustles, all while keeping the passion alive in a competitive industry.

In this engaging dialogue, Chase Shurtz, a professional camera assistant and cinematographer in LA, unveils the secrets to shaping a successful cinematography career. He shares insights on navigating the evolving film industry and emphasizes the importance of building connections. Chase discusses the essential skills for working on set, the differences between roles within cinematography, and the power of positive leadership. With anecdotes about on-set dynamics and the changing landscape of content creation, he inspires a new generation of filmmakers.

Emanuel Ortiz and Ethan Go, both talented USC film students, share their valuable insights into the film industry's challenges. They discuss the balancing act of creativity and academic pressure while navigating USC's vibrant film community. The importance of maintaining positivity on set is highlighted, along with personal growth through self-awareness and emotional control. They also reflect on the significance of trusting instincts when exploring career opportunities and emphasize the transformative power of small habits for mental well-being.

Kim Krizan, the talented screenwriter behind Before Sunrise and a mentor for emerging writers, shares her insights on navigating Hollywood in 2025. She emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling and the power of personal experiences in writing. Kim discusses fostering creativity through journaling and playful practices while advocating for collaboration with industry veterans. She also explores how technology reshapes short film storytelling, encouraging aspiring filmmakers to embrace constraints and connect deeply with their audiences.

Welcome to episode 13 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Makayla Lysiak an entrepreneur and TV writer/producer who has a large platform on social media to mentor aspiring actors and filmmakers. We talk about how to build a career in the TV industry, her approach to creating a successful Youtube channel, and her philosophies about content creation.

Welcome to episode 12 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Adam Bloodgood‬ a USC film producer who transitioned into filmmaking after 12 years of professional ballet and have worked on multiple features and vertical short dramas. We talk about how to build a career in the industry, his experience at film school, and philosophies about producing and filmmaking.

Welcome to episode 11 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Cece Mou a USC film producer who worked at Disney and camera operates for Jubilee. We talk about the how to step foot into the industry, her experience working on set and for Zach King, and philosophies about producing and filmmaking.

Welcome to episode 10 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love. Today, we bring on Justin Roh a USC film director who recently graduated and is now pursuing his dreams of directing full time. We talk about the what it takes to stay in the industry, his experience at USC, and philosophies about art and life.

Welcome to episode 9 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Harlow Schuman a USC film director who runs his own successful film production company Farlight Productions while still attending college. We talk about the what it takes to run such a company, his experience at USC, and philosophies about art and life.

Welcome to episode 8 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry. Today, we bring on Lillian Lin, a recent USC film school graduate who is now working at CAA, the world's largest talent agency. We chat about how she got into the CAA mailroom and other big studio internships, as well as her experience working alongside agents and executives.