Cinema Pathway Podcast

Cinema Pathway Podcast

by Fernando Guillen
Season 1

Behind the scenes & also leading the future of filmmaking with Lerue Sarvis Jr.

Pretty common. Renaissance Man: Defined as a person with many talents or areas of knowledge. Not so common, Servant Leader: focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. His life to this point has been a pretty incredible journey. From very humble beginnings to serving in the United States Navy, becoming a police officer, entering the film industry, and then going even further by creating ways to give back and educate future generations of filmmakers. I am pleased to welcome Lerue Sarvis Jr.

Comedy Hour with special guest! Dean “Tarantino” Gonzalez

Buckle up, listeners. This episode will be a wild ride so hang on. Comedian, Podcaster, and Social Media personality Dean “Tarantino” Gonzalez will bring his unique comedy and outlook on life to our podcast. He’ll talk about how he started in comedy and why you must have thick skin if you want to make it. We’ll talk about the comedy circuit here in Miami and the large regional and national circuit. Be sure to listen closely to where you can find and follow Dean online because soon you will not see him here in Miami as he is off to a new adventure.

The makings of a filmmaker with special guest! Lex Lowry

In this episode, we are joined by filmmaker and “thoroughbred Miamian” Lex Lowry. First, we’ll talk about his journey to becoming an independent filmmaker and dig into the definition of a filmmaker, or there is no true definition. Next, Lex will share the different projects he’s as a filmmaker been involve with, and then we’ll get into some deep topics. Finally, Lex and our host will have a poignant conversation about how being a Black Filmmaker and a Jewish Filmmaker, respectively, impact our works and how influential culture is to the process.

Rerun episode from cinematography & Keeping Alive with Egon Stephan JR

In this episode, we like to get deep into the craft of filmmaking, talking about the actual ins and outs of making films. The film has always been a visual medium. Starting with the Lumiere brothers, the genius of silent film stars like Chaplin and my personal favorite, Buster Keaton, wowed audiences with what could be captured by this new device, the movie camera. More than 100 years later, the camera and mastery of it is still a vital key to filmmaking as a craft. Our guest today is a master at that. He is a cinematographer and director of photography whose credits include the hit series DEXTER and BURN NOTICE. Feature films that range from STRIPTEASE, REALITY BITES, and PASSENGER 57 (underrated in my opinion) and one of my childhood favorites, FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR, as well as numerous music videos for JANET JACKSON, GLORIA ESTEFAN, RICKY MARTIN, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, and CELINE DION.

Cinematography & keeping film alive with special guest! Egon Stephan Jr.

In this episode, we like to get deep into the craft of filmmaking, talking about the actual ins and outs of making films. Film has always been a visual medium. Starting with the Lumiere brothers, the genius of silent film stars like Chaplin and my personal favorite, Buster Keaton, wowed audiences with what could be captured by this new device, the movie camera. More than 100 years later, the camera and mastery of it is still a vital key to filmmaking as a craft. Our guest today is a master at that. He is a cinematographer and director of photography whose credits include the hit series DEXTER and BURN NOTICE. Feature films that range from STRIPTEASE, REALITY BITES, and PASSENGER 57 (underrated in my opinion) and one of my childhood favorites, FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR, as well as numerous music videos for JANET JACKSON, GLORIA ESTEFAN, RICKY MARTIN, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, and CELINE DION.

Makeup & Effects Artist with Special Guest! Mike Maloney

In today’s episode, we welcome special guest Mike Maloney, an award-winning makeup and effects artist. First, Mike will share his fascinating journey of how he went from growing up in the mid-west to film school in Vancouver and then, having enough of the cold weather, made his way to South Florida. Following, he’ll talk about how he got his start in makeup and effects working in the haunted industry doing not only cosmetic but practical effects, prop and set design and eventually leading a makeup department. After talking about how he ultimately got his start in filmmaking, Mike will share with our audience the preparation and work that goes into makeup and effects in a film. Starting with the day, he gets the script, meets and works with the talent, developing each character’s unique look and his innovative approach to makeup design using the natural geometry of one’s face. Next, we will shift from makeup to the craft of practical effects. Mike can do it all, from making blood splatter from a body being cut open with a chainsaw to creating a prop head and torso. Then, just to be bashed with a bat to adjust full body makeup. As a result, to have realistically look of how one would as their body decomposes. Eventually, we’ll go back in time and talk about how The Exorcist inspired Mike to pursue this as a craft and how influential The Exorcist was to the art of makeup and effects beyond the use of green pea soup for vomit. We will also touch on the more delicate topic of helping filmmakers understand the cost and value of a professional makeup artist, why there is a cost, what the price buys, and the importance of budgeting correctly for makeup and effects. Finally, we’ll conclude the episode with Mike shelling out some advice and resources for aspiring makeup and effects artists.

The Actor’s method, or is it meisner? special guests! Jonny Atrocity, Actor

Acting is the art of embodying a character to portray a character on stage or screen. However, it is much more than just memorizing lines, and in this episode, we will be disgusted with Miami-based actor Jonny Atrocity. Jonny will discuss his journey from acting on the stage to being cast as the lead in the award-winning short film Antoni-A. Also, Jonny will share with our listeners how his dedication to the craft of acting from the time he was in high school today has allowed him to take on different roles portraying a wide range of characters. We’ll discuss the differences between two of the most well-known and widely taught acting techniques, Method and Meisner, and how both ultimately stem from the man who is considered the father of modern stage and screen acting, Konstantin Stanislavski. Jonny will share the differences between acting on stage and in front of a camera with our listeners. Everything from where you stand to how you project your voice to how the minutiae of facial expressions differ. He’ll describe how being a stage actor has made him a better film actor and why it is not so easy for actors to back and forth between stage and screen. He was also kind enough to share his experience filming an intimate scene in Antoni-A. Most important providing insight into all the little things that the director did to ensure that the actors were in a safe environment and that they were comfortable in this type of performance in front of a camera. Finally, Jonny, a musician, will not only share some exciting news about the release of his new single, but we will also play a sample of that and let our audience know where they can download it. As always, we will focus on South Florida and the opportunities for current and aspiring actors on stage and on screen.

Getting nifty with scripty! special guests! David Irvine, script supervisor

In this episode, we’ll talk about the multi-faceted role of the Script Supervisor with our special guest, David Irvine. First, we’ll look back on David’s journey. From living overseas to earning an MBA from Florida International University and eventually making his way into the film industry. Next, we will dive into what a Script Supervisor, “Scripty,” does. It is much more than telling an actor what is on the Script when they yell out “LINE,” although that is part of the job. The most significant part of the job is maintaining continuity throughout the shoot. Was the actress’s purse over her left or right shoulder? Check with Scripty. How full was that glass of water on taking 2? Ask Scripty. How many trees caused shadows when we shot on this street three weeks ago at 9:30 am? You got it. Ask Scripty. We’ll even mention a notable recent error in a major television show. David will talk about his processes of breaking down a script, what he looks for, and the most important attribute needed to be a successful Script Supervisor. Hint, it’s where the Devil is. The Details. We’ll discuss how CGI and green screens have changed Script’s work. Next, we’ll examine how important it is to have a Script Supervisor on your film, no matter how long or short it is or your budget. Like in that television show, continuity errors can significantly impact how your show or movie is perceived. If you’re an indie film, there’s a good chance that you don’t have the resources to fix in post, so it pays (hint, hint) to have a good Scripty, with attention to detail and an eagle eye to catch those before they make it to the final cut. Finally, David will share with everyone what he is currently working on and where he hopes to take his career next.

The Producer & Associate Producer, the backbones of filmmaking with special guests! Yuliette Ason & Victor Ferreira

Our pilot episode features Yuliette Ason & Victor Ferreira, a Producer and 1st Assistant Director (AD) / Associate Producer, respectively, with Paradoxical Films LLC. We’ll kick off the first season with an episode by learning a bit about our guest’s backgrounds. Yuliette originally hailed from Cuba and grew up wanting to study film. Still, it was not until she moved to Miami, FL, and entered film school at Miami Dade College that the film Subterfuge she produced won Best Movie at the 2016 Sarasota Film Festival. Before joining Paradoxical Films, she continued to work and make a name for herself in the South Florida independent film community. She has several credits to her name and multiple projects currently in development. Victor Ferreira’s interest in film dates to the first time he saw Star Wars at age seven, and he was hooked. Born in Colombia, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Digital Film and Video Production from Miami International University of Art & Design. Victor has worked as a director, assistant director, writer, editor, 2nd assistant camera, and gaffer on several productions. In addition, he served as a line producer on Lay me Down to Sleep and Antoni-A. Next, we’ll get into the teeth of our episode as we first dispel the stereotype that producers sit back, pick apart the director’s choices and wait for the money to come in. Next, Yuliette will describe how much pre-production needs to take place before the cameras roll. Must essential equipment must be rented, locations secured, and props and wardrobes purchased. And, oh yeah, it takes a big crew and more to make a film; all of that is brought together by the production team, so without a good producer, your movie may not even GET OFF THE GROUND. Next, Victor discusses the unique role of the 1st AD on a film set and the diverse skillset needed by someone to be successful at that position. Lastly, Victor will explain how We will also have a lively discussion about how many of today’s movies have sacrificed stories for spectacle and have moved away from the archetype of the “Hero’s Journey.” Lastly, we’ll discuss the future of independent filmmaking in South Florida.
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