Unfake It Till You Make It

Jordan Gillis is a versatile young performer who has been a full-time musician his entire adult life. With nearly 10 years of experience, he combines a soulful voice with virtuosic guitar playing - a rare combination! From rock, funk, soul, and jazz to heavy metal and country music, he can play virtually all genres of guitar-based music. Jordan has been on tour all over the country and has experience doing just about every type of gig in the book. We talk about the roots of discipline, the strategies to balance it all, we get into some technical talk and we even touch upon his empowering alternative passion of permaculture farming practices. Please enjoy!   Show Notes: [1:50] Interview begins [8:30] The movie Cross Roads was a spark for Jordan’s guitar inception  [12:00] Truevirtuosostudios.com is one of Jordan’s websites for teaching [19:00] On songwriting -  One of Jordan’s first songs [22:00] How To Think Like Einstein  by Scott D. Thorpe and the beginner's mindset and music theory talk [24:00]  This is Yo

On to this episode! I a have a fun conversation with a dear peer of mine, Cyrus, who is in the film industry like me. Specifically in the sound department. He is an extremely talented man who can build practically anything. He crafted a specialized sound cart out of random metals he came across and it impressed the hell out of me. We get into his experience starting from scratch in the industry, we talk about the onerous yet fortifying paths he has navigated through and we also have some tangents. And here we go, please enjoy this episode with Cyrus Wymer.   [3:00] Interview begins: Inconsistency and disagreements  [13:00] Getting into the film industry [25:00] Creative Inceptions [31:30] Skateboarding Mindset Great skateboard film The End (Tony Hawk) [39:30] Doing your best [44:00] Getting by in between the passions and more resources {46:20] I am a failure? [55:30] The union [1:08:30] Separate rankings and job duties [1:24:00] Favorite parts of the film industry [1:33:15] Inspiration (Lords of Dogtown Lords

This episode is a short reflection and an example of how "letting go" can lead to taking action. There is no guest in this episode, only me. Please enjoy!

My guest today is Marc Ricos @marcricos on the socials. He is a music producer and engineer, vocalist, and also a guitarist from Spain. He recently released a single on Spotify called Astronaut and temporarily moved his music passions to Los Angeles to produce a full album which is yet to be released. Please enjoy this episode!

My guest today is Eric Joyner @eric_s_j on Instagram and he is a contemporary American artist who is best known for his artwork which focuses on robots and donuts with beautiful background imagery. He has created over 350 paintings of them, some of which were purchased by praised by renowned film directors J.J. Abrams as well as George Lucas. Some of his artwork has been featured in the hit TV show The Big Bang Theory and has made international headway like when Duncan Donuts from Korea pitched him do contribute to their promotional products. Please enjoy my all-inclusive conversation with Eric Joyner.   SHOW NOTES:   [2:30] Interview beings [7:45]  Eric's Kickstarter Campaign Eric’s endeavor for Donut and Robotic video game; And donuts on OG The Simpsons Nintendo game -Donut Section (8:45) [15:15] Staying creative and Eric's rules for financial transactions Eric's Books Robots and Donuts book  and Robotic Existentialism Book [18:00] Eric’s first professional experience as an artist The Final Blow - Early 200

Today’s episode is another special one because it is with an intuitive Entrepreneur and Magician, Asad Chaudhry who I’ve learned quite a lot of serious magic techniques from over the years. He not only teaches professional magic but has created an online platform for Magicians all around the world at 52kards.com. His recent Kick Starter Campaign MINT 2 has become one of the most successful projects in playing card history! We talk his strategies as he transitioned and left his career as an engineer to a full-time entrepreneur, states of flow, and how video games lead to his current iconic company logo. Please enjoy!   Show Notes   [2:25] Interview begins [5:00] Asad loves Online research Reddit.com (sub reddit), youtube.com  [6:00] Creativity and Flow [11:00] Getting into MAGIC [17:00] Youtube dreams [20:00] Asad's winning youtube video The card trick that never happened [22:00] 52Kards as a business and Kick Starter [25:00] Transition from Job to Entrepreneur [28:00] Small things that go a long way (Wordpres

Today’s guest is a Hollywood Film and TV Editor, Composer, and Sound Engineer. He also designs and builds audio and video post-production boutique facilities. We get into all that and we even touch on his experience at a 10-day silent retreat. Please enjoy my conversation with Matias Lanzi.   Show Notes:   [2:00] Interview Begins [4:00] Building Studios and the role of an Agency [10:30] When a producer calls…The process   [13:00] Creative modes and Time management [17:20] Tired eyes cures Flux your eyes for Phones and Computers  [21:30] An editors desk: Mackie Big Knob, Wacom Intuos  [24:45] Creativity [28:45] Preparing for the Entertainment Industry [33:00] Questions to ask ourselves [35:00] Priorities and change [38:30] Delegating  [43:00] Starting out post-production houses [48:00] Handling people [50:00] Recharging and what Matias doesn’t do Pivoting books The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation  The Tibetan Book of The Dead The Primal Scream  The Prophet  [59:00] Silent retreat! [1:06:00] Matias tips on

In today’s episode, I interview a Fire Dancing Girl who runs her own Fire Dancing company! We talk about how she shifted from traditional college ideas to a professional DJ and then to an out of the box career choice, leading several fire teams to entertain people all over the world. Please enjoy my conversation with Brittany Chandler.    Show Notes   [2:45] Interview begins [4:30] Brittany as a DJ [6:30] Dancing Fire and Costume Design [13:00] Brittany’s company inception and growth  [18:00] Clients and Marketing [20:30] The Eisenhower Matrix “To Do” list here Download it here  And here is the source where I found it with some productivity insight Original source [22:00] "Walk away" strategies that bring big results  [25:00] Advice to transition into Passion that pays the bills [27:30] Early inspiration and discipline carries over into other areas of life [31:30] Big Mistakes and Idea sharing [34:00] Recharging from exhaustion [37:00] Positive relationships [45:30] Brittany’s inspiration, "Flow Art Festival"

This episode is short one about a few things I learned about the entertainment industry, specifically in the Film Industry and even more specifically, on Producing and Editing. I want to share them because they can save time, they can save money and they can reduce a lot of stress. I hope you find this episode helpful and as a reminder of how important efficiency, effectiveness and protecting yourself in the entertainment industry is.    Show Notes:   Amazing Lighting  Luminys Lighting [2:20] Show Starts [3:30] Orange County Productions Studio  OC Productions Studios  [5:00] Mistakes to avoid when it comes to Producing [6:00] 360 Spin Rig on Instagram [7:30] I was getting overwhelmed [8:00] The importance of a producing partner. If you’d like to hear how I met My Producing partner Joey Chu, take listen to episode #3 of this podcast  [9:30] Losing money, neglecting to follow up in an email, and moving studio lights [13:30] Offline editing Great tutorial Youtube Tutorial

Episode 18! I have another special guest who is the co-founder of the well known Slam Dance Film Festival, who have beautifully spawned some phenomenal filmmakers who have made big marks in cinema.  Dan is also a film Director, Producer, and Screenwriter with a recent movie out called Bernard and Huey. He is also the only filmmaker that I know of who produced a feature film for the sake of getting his previous feature film up for consideration by the Academy. He tells the captivating story in this episode as well as how he got creative when a meeting fell through by casually convincing a New York Publisher to take on his book, The Cheerful Subversive’s Guide to Independent Filmmaking. I got so inspired by Dan, after the interview I stayed at the coffee shop for 5 hours longer to finish rearranging a script of mine that I wrote a couple years ago. It was fun this month I’m planning to have a table read of it. And now it is time for Mr. Dan Mirvish. Please enjoy!    Show Notes:   [2:20] Interview Starts [5:30]

This episode is different because there will be no guest. Instead, I wanted to share a recent addition to my career. It has taken quite some time to finally relieve some career stress and I wrote down a short antidote that I hope will be useful to anyone listening. My thesis statement: You don’t have to give up, but sometimes you must throw away your pawns in order to make your way to the Kings and Queens. Please, enjoy!   Show Notes:  1:30 Anecdote starts 10:10 Airbnb Endeavors Become An Airbnb Host or get $40 off your first Airbnb rental when you travel yourself. 12:30 Enlightenment   13:00 Counting submissions 14:40 Losing track of time  Tony Skateboarding 16:00 Different submission approaches 17:35 Closing statements   And if you liked this episode, please leave me a review on iTunes. It would inspire me to keep the show moving on. Thank you!

Today’s guest is Jon Carlo @iamjoncarlo on instagram. He is a working actor, scriptwriter, and producer in the film Industry. He recently wrote the film First We Take Brooklyn starring Harvey Keitel and he is on his way to shoot his second feature in New York City this summer. We have nice chat on the uniqueness of the film business as well as what it looks like when Jon Carlo is writing like a maniac. If you hear some creepy chewing here and there in this episode, sorry about that. Jon and I were snacking on some Trader Joe organic Cherries. And now, please enjoy the show with my guest Jon Carlo.   Show Notes:   [1:15] Interview begins [5:30] The beginnings of Jon Carlo’s   [7:15] Jon Carlos’s latest feature film; he is shooting it in New York City [11:00] Mentor’s in the film business  [14:15] Jon’s advice for new actors coming to Los Angeles [18:00] Acting classes and finding your zone [21:00] Jon’s experiences with writing scripts - The War of Art The War Of Art [26:00] How it looks when Jon writes and h

Annalisa Cochrane @annalisacochrane is a Hollywood actress who plays Yasmine in the new YouTube RED series, Cobra Kai. I really loved it and I binge watched it! She also has roles in TV shows such as; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Heathers, The Young and Restless, Broken Visions, and Days of Our Lives to name a few. She spent some good years growing up in India and made the move to LA to pursue her acting career. We talk about performing, auditions, habits, and we got really off topic at times, but sometimes that’s what life is about. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Miss Annalisa Cochrane.   Show Notes:   [3:00] interview starts [7:45] Growing up in India [14:30] Annalisa in the film industry [18:15] Creativity is a muscle [24:45] Best place for character study in Los Angeles [30:15] Practice not being bothered  [31:45] Cobra Kai, the Youtube RED series! [33:45] Lord Of The Rings dreams [38:15] Giggling at Tony’s funeral and Will parties [39:15] Writing scripts in therapy sessions [44:45] Annalisa

John Wheaton has over 25 years in the film industry and is a top Special Effects Makeup Designer and Sculptor. John has won 2 Primetime Emmys for outstanding makeup in a series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and one of my favorite shows ever The X-Files. He is more recently known for TV shows such as Legion, Preacher, I am Number Four, and Babylon 5 as well as films like The Book of Eli, Suicide Squad, and Predators.  It is with honor, that I present to you a special effects makeup master, John Wheaton. please enjoy!   Show Notes:   [2:00] Interview Starts [4:00] The inception of John’s fascination with horror films, creatures, and monsters [7:30] John’s special effects early research; Fangoria Magazine and Star Log Magazine [9:00] John’s take on creativity [12:00] HUMAN SKULLS on John’s Vari Desk I want this full size one Full vari Desk [14:00] Special Effects Makeup [16:00] Who is cut out for a career in Special Effects Makeup [19:00] John’s advice on getting your work see and getting good feedback feedback on

Disclaimer: This episode is very different than the traditional format of the show. If you’re a film buff or into film & TV excitement, I hope you’ll enjoy this one. This week I'm sharing a late night conversation with a best friend of mine who I had not seen in years. His name is Daniel Aceves A.K.A. "Danny Legs” (he has these freakishly long legs). He is a Video Game Advertisement Designer, Masking expert, Film Historian, and a well versed Vintage Photographer. Legs and I got into a lot of in-depth talk about amazing films, our favorite scenes, the technical sides, and we got into a late-night laughing fit. If you’re looking for a couple of film guys to hang out with who are obsessed with the X-Files for the next while, you may enjoy this episode with Daniel Aceves and myself. We certainly did.    Show Notes   [3:15] Daniel and Tony's talk starts [5:15] Takumar vintage lenses [10:30] Lenses and their effect between the shooter and the subject [13:15] Daniel and Tony dream songs  [17:00] Los Angeles tra

Ryan Connolly is an American Filmmaker and the Creator/Host of Film Riot, a DIY filmmaking youtube channel with over 1 million subscribers. Besides producing over 800 plus episodes for his show, Ryan has also written & directed several notable short films and also runs the Triune Store (Online Film Assets). His filmosophy and dedication are truly inspiring. Please enjoy!  Show Notes   [2:30] Interview starts [4:30] Early film equipment struggles  [8:00] Dean Cundey stories [13:00] What creativity means to Ryan [18:30] Balancing film mode and family mode [22:30] Ryan’s advice to those who think they are not creative [25:00] Film career motivation and advice [35:30] Early filmmaking   [44:30] What gave Ryan the filmmaking bug? [47:00] Onset attitudes and tips with Ryan [59:00] Time wasting and hustle mode [1:00:00] Pitching projects  [1:10:00] Ryan’s Triune Store, what it offers, and how he runs it  [1:15:00] How Ryan prevents from burning out [1:18:30] What type of person does it take to run a successful y

In this episode, I interview Jake Staley (@donblake on IG). He is a professional Composer, music Producer, and Drummer. You’ve heard his work in network TV shows, films, video games, and commercials. Most recently he did the score for CW’s military drama, Valor. Jake is also known to throw awesome annual Cookie and Booze Parties in Down Town LA. For years I kept missing them. Last year I finally attended and it was phenomenal. I don't drink alcohol much, but cookies on the other hand—get me crunk. Disclaimer, my side of the audio during the episode sounds a lot lower in quality--sorry about that, there were some technical difficulties. Please enjoy the compositional insights of Mr. Jake Staley.    Show Notes   [2:15] Interview begins [4:45] What Jake is working on in the Music Industry [8:15] Breaking into the Music industry [14:30] Who is a good fit for the music industry [19:00] How Jake gets creative [23:30] Routines for making music [25:00] Jake’s take on creativity  [29:00] Jake’s morning routine [35:00]

Richard Baratta is one of the Executive Producers for Martin Scorsese's film, The Irishman. We get into all that as well as his in-depth insights and his outlook on the industry. Richard has over 40 IMDB credits and has produced and worked on many of my favorite films like Last Action Hero with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Donnie Brosco with Johnny Depp. He worked on the Spiderman movies and he even co-produced The Wolf of Wall Street which is incredible. Please enjoy, listen, and learn as I did.   Show Notes  [1:40] Interview Starts [2:40] How Richard recharges in between film gigs [6:10] Richards experience working on Last Action Hero with Arnold Schwarzenegger [9:10] The Film Industry in the 80s, the 90s, and current day [12:40] What is a UPM (Unit Production Manager) and how Richard handles entire film crews [17:40] Advice for people looking to become a UPM [22:40] Mistakes [24:40] From The Smurfs to The Wolf Of Wall Street [26:40] Co-Producer vs Executive Producer [29:40] Producing Chall

This episode is all about sound in the entertainment industry. My guest, Mr. Blake Allyn Donaubauer (B.A.D) is a professional Audio Mixer for TV and Film with a lot of set experience and a huge musical background. He started as a Production Assistant in Los Angeles for some years, which allowed him to transition into a career of sound, establishing himself in New Orleans. We talk gear and we talk about how he stayed humble through the entry-level gigs while steadily climbing the ladder toward his passions.   Show Notes [1:30] Interview begins - audio levels [4:30] Blake’s preferred extra earphones  (NOT for mixing but good for extra running and gunning:Boss Sound Sport [10:00] Blake's relationship with sound [13:00] sound in filmmaking [16:30] “Wild Lines” and the classic movie El Mariachi or get the blue rey disk El Mariachi Blue Rey [19:15] How to record sound for a walking scene  [21:00] Blakes’s experience at Berkley College Of Music. Song writing Major, Film scoring.  [28:00] Moving

My guest today is a director & producer who operates JFA Studio in Burbank California. We talk about how he made his first film as a refugee from Iran with other refugees, his award-winning (multiple) documentary A Cry From Iran, and how he struggled from editing in a small shared room to finally a huge film studio.  We even touch on some unique sleeping tips. Please listen, learn and get inspired I did with Mr. Joseph Hovsepian Show Notes   [3:00] interview Starts - JFA Studio [5:30] Joseph is preparing for a new New Short Film in between running his film studio. [9:20] How Joseph started in the Film Industry [18:00] Staying humble as you grow in the industry [23:30] Strategies Joseph took when he needed more gigs in the begging of his career [25:00] Space shuttle sleeping tips - Youtube:  Sleep with Rocket Ships[28:00] As a refugee in Austria, Joseph shot his first feature film, The Tune Of Nolstagia with his fellow refugees. [31:00] Growing up in Iran and Josephs first experience with filmmaking [36:3