Femme Regard Podcast

Hosts Tessa Markle and Carolina Alvarez take a break from their recording break to bring you some updates, lessons learned, and thank the fam! In this episode, Tessa and Carolina share their journey of creating their feature film 'Sync', discussing the challenges and lessons learned during the festival circuit, the importance of awards and recognition, and the complexities of distribution. They emphasize the significance of community support and engagement as they navigate their filmmaking journey, while also expressing gratitude for their listeners and supporters. Links: Website: www.femmeregard.com SYNC IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26902271/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk Filmfreeway: https://filmfreeway.com Canva: https://www.canva.com

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guest, Kelsie McDonald! Kelsie discusses her one-woman show and the process of developing it. She talks about working with director Pam, who helped bring her vision to life. Kelsie shares how the show combines comedy with personal and emotional moments, and how it relates to her own experiences. She also discusses the Hollywood Fringe Festival and the opportunities it provides for artists to showcase their work. Kelsie emphasizes the importance of taking risks and pushing oneself as a performer, and the confidence that comes from putting on a solo show. She discusses her projects, including a female-driven superhero story and a bilingual rom-com. She emphasizes the importance of representation and diversity in storytelling. Kelsie also talks about her experiences studying acting in Australia, New York, and the UK, and how each school shaped her craft. In this conversation, Kelsie McDonald discusses her journey as an actor, producer, and writer. She shares her experience studying acting in college and the importance of collaboration and making connections in the industry. Kelsie emphasizes the need for actors to take control of their careers by creating their own work and developing additional skills like writing and producing. She also talks about her one-woman show, 'Who's Serving Who,' and her plans to continue developing and expanding it. Kelsie encourages actors to be open to change and to follow their passions and dreams. Links: www.instagram.com/kelsieactor https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4302135/

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guests, Steph France and Allie Palazzo! In this conversation, Steph and Allie discuss the production of the supernatural series 'Hexed' and their new pilot 'Off Kilter'. They talk about the practical effects used in 'Hexed' and the decision-making process behind choosing which effects to do practically versus using visual effects. They also discuss the budget of 'Hexed' and the challenges of shooting in multiple locations. The conversation then shifts to 'Off Kilter', a comedy pilot. They touch on the casting process and the importance of authenticity in performances. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the use of profanity in scripts and the considerations for ratings and audience reception. Steph and Allie, co-owners of Rumor Films, discuss their experiences in indie filmmaking and the importance of having a production partner. They share stories from their projects, including participating in 48-hour film festivals and the challenges they faced on set. They emphasize the value of meaningful connections and learning from both the good and bad experiences in the industry. Links: www.instagram.com/kalmkaos3 www.instagram.com/alytea_ www.instagram.com/rumorfilms_ https://youtu.be/MrEheIQ7ESc?si=_oGqKhbm2BhnR492

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guests, Blake Berlin & Brittney Bertier! In this episode we dive into all things INSTEAD, a feature film written and directed by Blake and starring both Blake and Brittney. Instead was shot with a super-skeleton crew and ultra-low budget and is now taking the festival circuit by storm! A relatable story about exes striving for friendship, the simplicity of Instead allows its charm and the talent of both Blake and Brittney to shine. While there were struggles during production, the film was shot with minimal issues and the final product speaks for itself. Links: www.instagram.com/itsblakeberlin www.instagram.com/brittneybertier https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/femme-regard6/episodes/Indie-Filmmaker--Inspirational--and-Into-Collaboration-with-Brittney-Bertier-e2be4dm

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guest, Roxana Baldovin! Roxana begins with her background and her journey in the music video industry. She shares her experience working with A-list celebrities and breaking into the industry. Roxana also explains the process of creating music videos, which can vary greatly depending on the artist and the budget. She emphasizes the need for adaptability and perseverance in the industry. Roxana shares her experience working on commercials and music videos, highlighting the differences between the two. She also discusses her participation in HBO's Project Greenlight, where she pitched a movie idea and was selected as one of the nine women to present a million-dollar movie pitch. Roxana emphasizes the importance of world-building and storytelling in her work and expresses her desire to focus more on creating her own original stories. Roxana also talks about her upcoming projects and the conversation highlights the importance of creativity and authenticity in standing out and connecting with audiences. Links: www.instagram.com/senoradirectora https://roxanabaldovin.com/

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guest, Haviland Stillwell! Haviland is a performer with a background in musical theater who shares her journey from stage to screen. She discusses her love for acting and singing, as well as her experience in Broadway shows. Haviland also talks about the challenges and burnout she faced in New York and her decision to move to LA for a change of scenery. She delves into her transition into producing and the importance of representation in the entertainment industry. She discusses her love for producing and the importance of pushing forward underrepresented content. She shares how she started her production company, Team Stillwell, and the benefits of having a loan out. Haviland emphasizes the need for women in the entertainment industry to share knowledge and support each other. Haviland also highlights the importance of organizations like Women in Media in creating opportunities for women and marginalized voices. She discusses the importance of referrals in the entertainment industry and how they have played a significant role in her career. She emphasizes the value of making connections and building relationships with other professionals. Haviland also shares her involvement in upcoming projects, including the co-production of the Broadway show Transparent the Musical and her lead role in the feature film Feathered. Additionally, she mentions her passion for coaching and supporting aspiring artists in their careers. Links: www.instagram.com/haviland https://www.havilandstillwell.com/ Under the Influencer Episode: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/femme-regard-podcast/episodes/Climbing-the-Ladder-by-Boosting-Each-Other-Up-with-Lauren-Neal-and-Jill-Bennett-e1apnij/a-a6vhkih

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guest, Aaron Vasquez! In this conversation, Aaron discusses his journey into filmmaking, his passion for writing and directing, and his latest feature film project, Devil's Ride. He shares his experience of growing up around filmmaking and how it influenced his own creative pursuits and talks about the importance of networking and finding a supportive community in the film industry. Aaron also discusses his work in graphic design and how it complements his filmmaking endeavors. In this conversation, he shares his insights and tips on film postering and using AI tools for design. He emphasizes the importance of having high-quality stills and promotional photos for creating effective film posters. Aaron suggests using resources like Shotdeck and Pinterest for inspiration and finding templates. He also discusses the use of AI in pitch decks and mock-up posters, highlighting their value in the absence of a budget. Aaron shares his upcoming projects, including a music video and a horror anthology short film. Links: www.instagram.com/aaronisaacvasquez https://shotdeck.com  www.midjourney.com  www.canva.com  www.behance.net https://shot.cafe

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week's guest, Veronica Maccari! Veronica shares her journey from acting to writing and producing her first web series, 'Impostor.' She discusses the challenges of obtaining a visa and green card as an international artist, and the strategic approach to building a successful career in the industry. The conversation delves into the themes of feminism, imposter syndrome, and the portrayal of women in the media, offering insights into the complexities of navigating the entertainment industry as a woman. The conversation covers topics related to the creative process, crowdfunding, and film festival strategies. It dives into the challenges and successes of producing a web series, the importance of budget-conscious writing, and the impact of crowdfunding on audience building and marketing. Additionally, it explores the significance of film festivals in showcasing talent, receiving validation, and networking with industry professionals. Veronica discusses the production, distribution, and marketing strategies for her web series 'Impostor.' She shares insights on pitching, festival circuits, and the challenges of navigating the web series landscape. The conversation also delves into the multifaceted nature of web series production and the potential for commercial success. Links: www.instagram.com/veronica_maccari www.impostertheseries.com https://seedandspark.com/fund/imposter#story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4VSMD5RjdM

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking with this week’s guest, Marcus Dunstan! In this episode we speak with Writer, Director, Producer Marcus Dunstan on his new film All My Friends Are Dead, a #slasher #mystery feature starring Jade Pettyjohn, Jennifer Ens, Ali Fumiko Whitney, Michaella, Russell, Julian Haig, Justin Derickson,Cardi Wong, Jack Doupe, Smith and Jojo Siwa. We learned how the collaboration of a strong script and talented cast combined with smart producing allow Marcus to have discovery and play with the work and dig further into the themes of terror and social media.We also touch on Marcus #horror career co-writing several SAW films and also being a HBO project greenlight winner for his film FEAST. #AMFAD is out now in select theaters and is available for Digital and Demand! Links: www.instagram.com/marcusdunstan https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1729303/?ref_=instant_nm_1&q=marcus%20dun https://youtu.be/Oj5uaGuyYNI?si=edYz4wNAEizf4A9s

Hosts Carolina Alvarez & Tessa Markle spill the tea on all things filmmaking! Starting off the season with a SOLO episode! In this episode, we discuss our progress in post-production for our feature film 'Sync' and our strategy for film festivals and distribution. We emphasize the importance of film festivals for marketing and building an audience, as well as the benefits of getting recognized and receiving awards. We also discuss the challenges of finding the right PR strategy and the various options for distribution. We explain the concept of a work in progress cut and our decision to submit it to festivals, and we highlight the importance of Vimeo for hosting our film. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of choosing the right platform for film festival viewing and distribution. We also discuss the value of having a trailer for marketing and festival submissions and offer advice on giving and receiving feedback during the editing process. We emphasize the importance of finding trusted collaborators and being clear about the type of feedback you're seeking. We hope this information helps any of you who are at this phase in your filmmaking journey! And if you’re feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry friends, we’re in this together! One piece of the puzzle at a time. Links: www.femmeregard.com www.instagram.com/syncthemovie