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Cinematographer Ernesto Pletsch Brings Comedic Twist to “Dietland” Commercial

4/24/2017

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PictureCinematographer Ernesto Pletsch
For Ernesto Pletsch, life is looking through the lens of a camera. He is a celebrated and award-winning cinematographer with international success. Originally from Porto Alegre, Brazil, capturing images has always been close to his heart, and now his work speaks to people all over the world. He is truly living his dream.
 
Success for this cinematographer seems limitless. He has worked on award-winning and impactful films, such as Akirah, Pumpkin, and Dry. He has received special recognition for his work at international film festivals while working on music videos and television shows. These accomplishments are not because of his innate talent and natural skills, he is also extremely hardworking, and strives for perfection with everything he does.
 
“As a cinematographer, my work is to best translate the emotion of the scene to the screen. I make my best to understand the director's vision and try to adapt the feeling to my lighting and camera choices. Every choice needs to have a reason behind it; needs to symbolize something for the audience, otherwise it is pointless to me. It's not about just making it look beautiful, but to tell the story in an interesting way as a priority,” said Pletsch.
 
This is exactly what he did when working on the 2016 advertisement for author Sarai Walker’s bestelling book Dietland. It was called A Best Book of the Year by Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Amazon, Women’s National Book Association, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage, Kobo, and LitReactor.
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The commercial, which premiered in May of last yer, was a comedic and ironic story, designed to mock the title of the book and make it look like an infomercial. The book, that at first glance seems to be a self-help guide to overcome weight problems, turns out to be completely opposite. It's fiction, a dark comedy, social critique novel with a feminist vision of the modern times.
 
“Humor is light. That's right. People say that the vibe on set is transmitted to the screen and vice-versa. I think this applies. Often, we're shooting a serious scene on a drama film and everyone gets quiet and moody. Or we're shooting action and the whole team feels energetic and excited. I think this happened on set for Dietland. Our team was light, having fun with it. No stress at all. Our only goal was to get the beats in sync,” said Pletsch.
 
The commercial was Plestch’s first, and it was a great experience for the director of photography. The director, Mariana Má Thomé, reached out to Pletsch after seeing his skill and success from his other projects. While shooting Dietland, he was able to light and move the camera in a controlled environment. They rented a stage and rigged 13 lights around the scene, carefully planned. All lights ran into a dimmer board that would be operated by Pletsch’s gaffer Andrés Hernandez while on set. They established three different lighting setups that would be toggled throughout the same shot. For camera, they laid down a 12' track that would pull out from start to end. That was a very technical shot for both camera and lighting, and Pletsch’s role was critical to the commercial’s success.

“Commercials are very technical to me. You have a plan, you go there and make it look flattering and flawless. You don't need a reason for your choices most of the time. Your main goal is to deliver a pleasant and clear image within the concept you and the director came up with. There's no room for soft focus or any bump on camera. Nothing should be a happy accident or spontaneous. It's a more squared format. While on narrative, it is all about the feeling you translate to the audience. Sometimes, you don't want the audience to connect with some characters so you hide information, don't show people's eyes, etc. Narratives have more room for artistic choices while commercials are mostly guided by the clients’ eyes and taste. The cinematographer bends more to a technical role,” Pletsch described.
 
This attention to fine detail is what makes Pletsch one of the best. All those he works with are extremely appreciative of and impressed with his cinematography skills. While working on the Dietland commercial, camera assistant Dhruv Lapsia says Pletsch was fun but committed.
 
“I’ve worked with Ernesto as his focus puller for a long time and working with Ernesto is great fun. There’s always a concept to what’s being executed and it’s nice to be part of the process in bringing the script to life. He’s professional and consistent in what he does and that brings a level of quality that everyone shares. There’s always a good vibe around, the importance of which is always understated. Most cinematographers are technically very sound but creatively quite flat. Working with whatever tools available, Ernesto is one of those directors of photography who definitely puts his stamp on the things he shoots. His delicate sense of lighting is great to see and learn from. His background as a photographer shines through because he responds to natural situations quickly and that’s crucial in capturing the moment as a storyteller,” said Lapsia.
 
You can check out Pletsch’s work on the Dietland commercial on Sarai Walker’s website, here.

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Q&A with leading Canadian voice actor Mike Goral

4/24/2017

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PictureVoice actor Mike Goral
People all over the world have heard Mike Goral’s voice, and probably don’t even know it. Whether it be watching their favorite program, over the radio in their car, or during a commercial break when they are running to the bathroom, his voice fills the room.
 
Goral has had an outstanding career, leading the voice acting industry in not only his home country of Canada, but internationally as well. He has voiced commercials for car dealerships, stores, and restaurants. He has narrated several television programs for major stations like the Outdoor Channel, the Smithsonian Channel, and ESPN.
 
He is “the voice” you hear and listen to, and now you can put a face and a story behind it. We had a chance to sit down with Goral and hear how he began, get his advice, and find out what the story behind the storyteller really is.
 
Check out the complete interview here.
 
Where are you from? How did you get into voice acting?
 
MG: I am from the Toronto area. My career began in radio back in August of 1991. I worked at Energy 108 in Burlington, Ontario. I had a passion for being on the radio all throughout my childhood. I listened to radio, recorded DJ’s and commercials and even recorded my own fake radio shows from my boom box in my bedroom. I acted as a “manager” for some high school friends who were trying to make it big in the music biz in those days. So, I called a local radio station trying to get us some airplay. They took an interest because the station was into supporting local talent. In a short time, I formed a friendship with the DJ, and started helping him run his board for his nightly show. It was an unintended foot in the door in an industry that I was very interested in. I was 15 years old. Too young to drive so I would ride my bike to the radio station each night. It was an exciting time. As many of my peers were going to parties and meeting girls, I was spending my Friday and Saturday nights at the radio station. But, it was such a cool gig for a kid my age, so it wasn’t considered “dorky” by my peers when I didn’t go to as many parties and stuff like that. I had a cool excuse. And honestly, I wanted to be there. I was seizing an opportunity for a shot at a career in radio.
 
A few years went by and I was still working at the station each week. When I graduated high school, I applied at a number of local area colleges for TV, film and radio broadcasting. In the mid 90’s admissions for those college programs were limited, and you had to really show a desire for the industry. One college told me they had over 700 applicants for 30 spaces. The fact that I already had a few years of professional broadcast experience really helped my resume shine.
 
From there, I continued working weekends at the radio station. By this point, I had developed a relationship with the station’s management, and they had given me paid shifts, running the board for DJ’s and doing some production work for a local countdown show on the weekends. By the time I graduated college, a full-time position was waiting for me at that same radio station. I was working in the production department, producing commercials. It was all a very exciting time. I was loving what I was doing, and I was just 20 years old working in my chosen profession full-time. I felt so fortunate, but did work my tail off and put in a lot of personal time to get there. I did this job for many years, and developed a craft for radio production and started working more with my voice on commercials. I even gained some freelance clients through the station and invested in a computer and some editing software at my home and started assembling a small production studio in my bedroom at home.
 
Over time, I gained more clients and when my shift at my day job was over, my voiceover work a home was just beginning. I worked some long nights, but I was young and driven and could pull all-nighters on a regular basis. From there it took several years to build-up a steady clientele. I know I’m dating myself now, but I spent many years packing and mailing demo cassettes and demo cd’s to radio and TV stations all over the world. This was before the email days! My roommates would try to convince me to take a break and enjoy a steak on the patio or go out for drinks, but I would often pass on that and keep working to get myself to the next level. From sending out demos, I was able to gain clients in distant places like West Africa, New Zealand, the UK and Mexico. It was pretty fun to finally get some results from my years of hard work. As the years went by, my client base became larger, and before I knew it, I was working for myself, fully self-employed.
 
Can you tell us a bit about various projects you have worked on?
 
MG: I have done voiceover work for HBO, Showtime, Discovery, Weather Channel, Smithsonian Channel, HGTV, DIY Network, NBC and Cartoon Network, just to name a few. I’ve done long-form narration, as well as shorter commercial and TV promo work. I also do a lot of non-broadcast stuff that most people will not hear, as they are internal videos for corporate clients such as sales pitch videos, instructional learning and training applications.
 
What would you consider the highlight of your career?
 
MG: Probably the time where I heard a commercial I did nationally during an NFL game. It was an exciting moment, and the first time my voice aired across all of America. This was something I always dreamt of experiencing since high school. And I didn't even expect it. I was just watching a Sunday afternoon game when it suddenly came on.
 
What would you say the challenges to voice acting are?
 

MG: The biggest one is isolation. Most voice actors have home studios these days. They work from home, doing auditions and jobs that are not directed by someone else so, often, they are working all alone. This can really limit human contact throughout your day, other than emails or texts. I am fine with it, but among a lot of guys in my field, it’s a common complaint. There are industry conferences that we all attend during the year, and it’s always such a joy to be with other colleagues who understand our business. Unlike other fields where peers sometimes work side by side in an office setting year round, we only have a few chances to experience this throughout the year. We sometimes joke that it can be therapeutic; speaking with others who have the same experiences, struggles, funny stories and experiences. It’s always something I look forward to. Catching up with old friends over lunch or dinner during these conferences.
 
Why do you think your voice resonates so well with viewers?
 

MG: That’s a tough one. I often book jobs for different reasons. Sometimes it’s because I have a youthful sound, and other times it’s because they want something “conversational-sounding”. I seem to land different jobs for different reasons, so there is no “secret” to it all. My main objective is to follow the direction I get from producers who send me auditions, and try to find an angle on how to best communicate the message in the script. Sorry I can’t answer that more simply, but it’s not an overly simplified process. There can literally be dozens of different reasons why can actor does or doesn’t land a particular job. Sometimes they hate your voice, other times I may sound too young, or for some other reason, one of the other people who auditioned seemed like a better fit for the producer selecting the talent. There are countless variables involved in the process.
 
What advice would you give to those starting out?
 

MG: Be patient. Persistence is the name of the game. If you aren’t patient and taking the time to grow professionally, it can be a frustrating business. It is fiercely competitive, and in both LA and New York, there are hundreds of incredibly talented people competing for the same jobs. It can be intimidating at first. But it’s like any other skill. If you want to take it to a professional level, it requires work, training and dedication. It’s a lot of fun, but you still have to treat it like a business. There a lot that happens in between the jobs you get, like invoicing, dealing with contracts, agents and essentially building relationships with people. One has to successfully manage all these different aspects in order to achieve success in this field.
 
What are your plans for the future?
 

MG: You know, I’m not really sure. I honestly enjoy what I do, and don’t plan to stop at this point. I have many clients and they are all awesome. I have developed some really great relationships with people in this business over the years. I enjoy working with my clients, and nothing beats working with great people.
 
What is voice acting your passion and chosen profession?
 

MG: It just seemed like a natural progression from what I was doing when I worked full-time in radio. I enjoyed doing commercials and playing around in the production room. I always thought I wanted to be an on-air DJ. After I graduated from college, I had some opportunities to do on-air work, and much to my surprise, I didn’t really enjoy it like I thought I would. I also don’t think I was particularly good at it. Many of my colleagues were born naturals and still do it successfully today. It takes a certain talent to be an entertaining radio personality, and after just a few shifts doing on-air, I quickly realized I didn’t have any of those specific gifts, so I quickly learned it just wasn’t for me. Creating commercials in the production room was where I was most comfortable.

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True Passion Keeps Actress Karen Mitchell in the Spotlight

4/21/2017

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Actress Karen Mitchell shot by Matt Elder
For more than two decades actress Karen Mitchell has been in the spotlight. Originally from Sandringham, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, her profile first began to rise in the eyes of the public back in the 90’s when she won the title of Miss Rye Beach and was a finalist in the Miss Australia Quest pageant. Her work as a model brought her further attention putting her front and center in ads for companies such as Mac cosmetics, Bessemer, Jodanne Fashion, Avant Garde, Tim Tams, Genie Hourglass, Marvin Clothing, Telstra and many more.

While Karen was already known throughout Australia for her work as a model and theatrical actress, she spent many years focusing her efforts on her real estate company, as well as her roles in the business world working with companies such as Channel 10 in Australia and BMW. It wasn’t until the unfortunate passing of both of her parents, which happened within 12 weeks of each other, that Karen came to the stern realization that life is too short to waste time doing things that you don’t absolutely love-- and for her, acting is the thing that makes her heart beat strongest.

“It’s such a rewarding experience to give life to words off a page that an audience can appreciate. I strongly believe that it’s the best way for me to do service to others: serving a story by using my feelings and my understanding of what it means to be human,” says Karen.

Once she made the unwavering decision to devote herself wholeheartedly to acting, her career quickly gained momentum and the range of credits she has come to accumulate since is nothing short of amazing. Some of her recent projects include playing the starring role of Alexa in the upcoming film “Just One More Day,” Linda in “If I were You” and Tina in “The Margins of Things,” all of which are due for release over the next few months.

Early on in her career she was featured in Stanley Joseph’s (“My Cornerstone,” “Love You Krishna”) feature film “Newton’s 3rd Law” where she acts alongside Mark Duncan who is known for his work in “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Matrix Reloaded,” Mike Duncan from “Java Heat” and “Housos” and Johan Earl from “Theory of the Trojans,” “A Perfect Life” and “Deadly Minds.”

Karen’s inimitable gift for drama has been one facet of her talent that has kept her working non-stop for the last 10 years. In Dane McCusker’s (“Reception,” “Board Games”) film “The Hand that Feeds” Karen took on the lead role of Mum, where she stars alongside James Fraser from Oscar Award winner Russell Crowe’s multi-award winning film “The Water Diviner,” “December Boys” and “The Turning.”
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James Fraser (left) and Karen Mitchell (right) on set of "The Hand that Feeds"
Centering on the dangerous door Facebook opens by allowing strangers into our life, the film’s main story line involves a massive house party which, publicly posted on Facebook, makes it easy for unsavory characters to attend. In the film Karen gives a dramatic portrayal as a mother whose son Gabe, played Fraser, is murdered by one of the strangers in attendance.
In 2014 Karen took on the critical role of Sally in the thriller film “Fearless Game,” where she acted alongside Scott Pirlo from the film “Adore” starring two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts (“King Kong”) and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright (“House of Cards”). Directed by Patricia Guimaraes, “Fearless Game” follows Pirlo’s character Mark Wilson, a businessman who finds himself in a tricky predicament when he cannot remember the previous 48 hours. To make matters worse, his ex-client Victor, played by Jerry Retford (“In the Darkness,” “Abandoned”), has placed Mark in the middle of a deviously twisted game that could cost him his family and everything he holds dear if he doesn’t figure things out quick.

Karen’s character Sally comes into play as Mark’s therapist. Portraying her character with a subtle balance of motherly care and the distance one would expect from a therapist, Karen does a phenomenal job of holding our attention as she tries to help Mark get to the root of his lost memory, and search for the clues that will end Victor’s vicious game.

About playing Sally, Karen explains, “My character is a very smart woman, almost cold but very motherly. Being his psychologist, I help him decipher his dreams and memories so that we uncover what’s real and remember a numerical sequence that allows him to identify the hitman.”
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Karen’s passion for acting and dedication to using her craft to do justice to both the story and the characters she plays has been tantamount to her success in the highly competitive entertainment industry. And, the response she’s received from fans around the globe about her work has proven that her performances definitely strike a chord with audiences.
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Q & A with Dazzling Canadian Actor Nathan Mitchell!

4/21/2017

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Nathan Mitchell shot by Rebecca Eady

Over the past year actor Nathan Mitchell has captivated audiences around the globe with his performances in the romcom film “Twist of Fate,” the Lifetime biopic “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story” and the heart-pumping drama “Newlywed and Dead.”

In addition to the recently released films, Mitchell also took on pivotal roles in episodes of several critically acclaimed series such as the six-time Leo Award winning series “Motive,” the action adventure drama “Timeless” starring Abigail Spencer (“Mad Men”)  the Joey nominated crime dramedy “iZombie” and the miniseries “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl.” Needless to say, 2016 has been incredibly busy for the highly sought after actor who is clearly hot on everyone’s radar right now.
As quickly as the projects above began hitting screens, Mitchell was already deeply entrenched in the production of several new ones. He’s obviously not the type to sit around and bask in the glitz and glamour of his past work. In 2017 audiences can look forward to seeing him take to the screen in the lead roles of Zee in the sci-fi action film “Scorched Earth” from BAFTA Award nominated director Peter Howitt (“Laws of Attraction”) and Cole in James Nunn’s (“Eliminators”) “The Marine 5: Battleground.”

The Canadian-born actor’s Trinidadian-Jamaican heritage have endowed him with an exotic appeal that is nearly impossible to turn away from, it’s no wonder that Rachel, played by Karissa Tynes (“UnReal”), falls head over heels for him in “Twist of Fate.” While his inimitable talent is definitely the driving force behind his success, it doesn’t hurt that Nathan Mitchell is major stud as well.

Mitchell first made his way onto the scene nearly a decade ago when he landed the recurring role of Jeffrey on the family comedy series “Aliens in America.” While the series offered Mitchell the perfect venue to showcase his light-hearted and lovable side on prime time television, his work since has revealed him as an actor with astonishing depth. He knows precisely when to go deep, and when to hold back, and he always leaves us wanting more.

Anyone who looks at Mitchell’s collective body of work would be hard pressed to call him anything other than dynamic. Mitchell’s long list of recurring lead and guest star roles in an impressive range of hit television programs have proven his capacity for bringing characters to life within every possible genre.

From sci-fi series such as TNT’s Primetime Emmy nominated show “Falling Skies” and The CW’s People’s Choice Award nominated show “The Tomorrow People,” to action-packed crime series including the Golden Globe nominated show “Covert Affairs” and the nine-time Gemini Award winning show “Flashpoint,” as well as the hit drama “Cedar Cove,” Mitchell is one of the rare few in the industry who are impossible to typecast.

Over the years Mitchell has shared the screen with household names such as Golden Globe nominee Piper Perabo (“Looper,” “Covert Affairs”), three-time Golden Globe nominee Andie MacDowell (“Four Weddings and A Funeral,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape”), Gemini Award winner Stephen Amell (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” “Legends of Tomorrow,” “Arrow”) , BAFTA Award winner Thandie Newton (“Westworld,” “ER,” “Rogue,” “Crash”), Screen Actors Guild Award winner Larenz Tate (“Ray,” “House of Lies,” “Rush”) and others.

Although the actor has gained worldwide attention for his work, for him, acting is not about fame, it is about peeling back the layers of the human psyche, discovering more about himself and finding out what makes people tick.
He says, “The more I truly explore my roles the more I become aware of different facets of myself. There’s a huge psychological component to it.”

To find out more about Nathan Mitchell make sure to check out our interview below. You can also find out more about his work through his IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1756121/ and see what he’s up to through his instagram: @itsnatemitchell


Where are you from? 

NM: I come from Mississauga, Ontario. An amazing city just outside Toronto. One of the things that make it really special is how multicultural it is. It’s a got a cool downtown core and a lot of different suburbs.

When and how did you get into acting?

NM: My first lead role in a school play was the jumping off point. I was in 8th grade and they were casting for “Oliver Twist.” I heard some cute girls were going to be in it. So naturally, I decided to audition. It was a musical. Did I think I could sing? No. Did they cast me anyway? Yes. I played the role of Fagan, essentially the Pied Piper of bad guys. The British accent came surprisingly easily. I didn’t find true love. But it opened me up to how rewarding acting could be. Every time I was onstage it was just this constant joy. It’s been a part of my life from then on.

What was it about acting that made you realize this was the career for you?

NM: 
What’s appealing about acting for me is that it’s an art form that requires genuine connection with other people. You really have to listen; you really have to let yourself be affected by the other person to create something dynamic. When you’re that tuned into someone else you have this fun, meaningful experience. I also find that the more I truly explore my roles the more I become aware of different facets of myself. There’s a huge psychological component to it. You’re taking the script and deducing how one would act based on the circumstances. You’re always learning about human nature. It’s very fulfilling. Then there’s the script itself. You get to take someone else’s words and put your thoughts, your heart, and soul into them. Your art and their art combine to make something special. There’s something magic about that. When I realized that acting was all of these things, there was nothing else I wanted to do.


Once I was performing this monologue. I started stomping one foot on the floor. I looked down and suddenly the floor became the ocean. There was this beautiful coral reef beaming with life. Full of different colors, the sand was white, and there were fish swimming around. I wanted to immerse myself in that world. I wanted to go on an adventure in it. And then I realized that that ocean was myself. My inner world. And by exploring acting, I would explore myself. That was the moment I was in.


What was the first onscreen role of your career? What was it like playing the character?


NM: 
My first onscreen role was in a show called “Aliens in America.” It was a recurring guest star role. I taped my audition in Toronto and they flew me out to Vancouver to shoot it. I played Jeffrey, a jock who was a loveable combination of a puppy-dog and an asshole. I was the on-off boyfriend of Claire Tolchuk played by Lindsay Shaw. She wanted to be more popular so dumped me in hopes of upgrading. Like any Sophomore in love, I waited on her lawn and blasted ‘In Your Eyes’ till she came down and gave me a nice PG hug. A few episodes later I decided she was too clingy so I ended it in between classes. Nice and clean. She was crying but I was cool, so whatevs. Playing the character was a blast.


You’ve done quite a few television shows over the last few years, can you tell us about a few of them?


​NM: 
In my episode of “Motive,” detectives were trying to solve the murder of Avery Bowman. I played Russell Bowman, her husband. There was a weight to this character because he is dealing with the most monumental loss of his life. We get to see some of the happy times they had as a couple. But then you’re dealing with the heaviness of going through such a deep loss. Russell’s role in the story was key, because he’s the loved one who is left behind. He’s the one who needs closure. He has to deal with losing the most important person in his life. Seeing how he handles that is just as interesting as solving the murder itself. Those two parts of the narrative keep you on your toes. Kristin Lehman, the lead of the show directed that episode. She was fantastic to work with. She knew exactly what she wanted and was so present as a scene partner. I felt supported through the whole process.


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Still of Colton Hayes (left) and Nathan Mitchell (right) in "Arrow"

“Arrow” was an awesome show to be a part of as well. The whole team is great. I worked most with Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, and J.R. Ramirez. I played Isaac Stanzler, the abandoned protégé of a vigilante named Wild Cat. I came out of the shadows to frame Wild Cat for giving up on me and leaving me in the hands of criminals. It was exhilarating getting to be a part of the DC Comics Universe and bring comic book lore to life. The relationship between Isaac and Wildcat was important because it was a huge parallel for Oliver and Roy. It was kind of a dark prophecy. It showed Oliver what Roy could become if he was abandoned. Isaac’s showdown with Roy was epic for a couple of reasons. The fighting sequences were off the chart. But one of my favorite shows is the animated series “Young Justice.” Roy Harper is also a character in that show and goes by the name of Arsenal. During our fight I got to call him Arsenal for the first time in the series. So I effectively named a super hero. I was nerding out inside. Especially since he was one of the coolest super heroes on one of my favorite shows.


Can you tell us about some of the film projects you’ve done?


​NM: 
I had a blast shooting “Twist of Fate.” It’s a romantic comedy about two people who are scared to get back into the dating game. Both are heartbroken, and they find each other in the most unlikely of ways. I played Zack, owner of an up-and-coming coffee shop, and Jeff’s right hand man. I’m the one pushing him to get back out there. Zack fancies himself a Doctor Love. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for someone while he’s out on a mission for Jeff. During the film he goes from a chill dude with nothing to lose, to someone who actually has to put his heart on the line to get what he wants. Farhad, the director was really focused on the relationship between the characters. He gave us a lot of freedom to play within the scenes, we found a lot of comedy that way. I really enjoyed my dynamic with Ryan Kennedy and Karissa Tynes. “Twist of Fate” is one of the most lighthearted projects I’ve ever done. You watch it and it makes you feel warm inside.


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Still of Nathan Mitchell as Zack in "Twist of Fate"

​They are all very different, what made you choose to participate in these projects?


NM: In regards to “Arrow,” how are you gonna say no to being in the DC Comic Universe? It was an automatic yes.
In the case of “Motive,” I had worked on the show once before and the script was fantastic. So coming back was a no brainer. I feel really lucky to have guest starred in an episode Kristin was directing. “Twist of Fate” sounded like a really light hearted and fun movie. Coming off “Motive,” I thought it would be a great change of pace, and it was.

You get approached all the time to work on projects with people, what makes you pick one role over another?

NM: It can be a different thing each time. Sometimes you really want to work with a director, sometimes it’s the script or the cast. Sometimes it’s all of those things. And sometimes you just get presented with too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Do you feel that you get cast to play a certain type of character more than others?

NM: No, I feel that there’s a healthy variety to my roles. I’ve been able to play a broad spectrum of characters and I’m really happy about that.

Out of all your productions, what has been your favorite project, or projects, so far and why?

NM: I can’t pick a favorite. They’re special for different reasons.

What is your favorite genre to work in as an actor?

NM: When I was younger I loved comedy. In TV and film, most of the focus is on drama where I come from. But as time has passed I’ve found myself really loving situations where I get to play the comedy. So I guess it would be both. Or the holy grail. The sweet middle between the two. Dramedy.

What separates you from other actors? What do you feel your strongest qualities are?

NM: I don’t like to compare myself to other people. I don’t think it’s necessary. But there are certain qualities that I try to practice and bring to my work consistently. I really value being spontaneous (within reason). I love to let impulse and intuition guide the discovery of my work. Being able to scrutinize my work in a healthy and honest way, so I can get better next time. And letting myself relax and have fun once I’ve done all my preparation. If I do stand out, I hope it’s for those things.

Have you been in any commercials or music videos?

NM: I’ve done a number of commercials. Some of my favorite have been MasterCard and Lexus. I also did a Chivas Regal commercial with Don Cheadle this summer. It was awesome. But that goes without saying.

What are your plans for the future?

NM: I want to keep developing my craft. Keep making art. Keep working on amazing roles. And spend more time at Venice Beach.

What do you hope to achieve in your career as an actor?

​NM: I want to create a body of work that affects people on a visceral level. I want to tell stories that are artistic, entertaining and even challenging. I want to inspire people through my work. Ultimately I want to get to a place where people watch my performance and they feel it in their soul.
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Makeup artist Shu Zhang wins two prestigious awards at IMATS

4/20/2017

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PictureShu Zhang with model at IMATS Los Angeles
Growing up in Hangzhou, China, Shu Zhang always loved art. She may not have known as a time that a face would be her canvas, makeup would be her paint, and makeup brushes would overtake paint brushes, but she knew she had a passion for creating and designing. Her innate talent, combined with this love for art, has led her to become an award-winning makeup artist, celebrated internationally for her capabilities.
 
Despite working and volunteering with extremely prestigious projects alongside many celebrities, Zhang considers the highlight of her career as winning not just one, but two awards at the International Makeup Artist Trade Show (IMATS). The IMATS are a trade show and competition held at various locations around the world, and give makeup artists a chance to shine. That is exactly what Shu did.
 
“It’s good for makeup artists to get to know all kinds of hot trends and fashion makeup tools and resources that are not normally easily found,” said Zhang.
 
With thousands of applications from around the globe, Shu was chosen has one of the eight finalists to showcase her work at the show. She won the first place at both IMATS Los Angeles and IMATS Vancouver, and beat out the other seven excellent competitors from all over the world.
 
“It is very exciting. I like to break the limitations of traditional make-up, to achieve the perfect combination of art and make-up. I am determined to make beautiful art with make-up, let the face be a canvas, with cosmetics as my oil paint and brush to show my understanding of art,” said Zhang.
 
To win the “Battles of the Brushes” Shu had to use her art background and knowledge, capturing the theme of “beauty through the ages.” At IMATS Vancouver, she came up with ideas of impressionism to represent Claude Monet. Using this concept of bringing oil painting art into makeup as original idea, it was the key that helped her win.
 
At IMATS Los Angeles, there was a low budget with a very tight timeline, leaving Zhang with only two weeks’ preparation. She has a reputation for being flexible and adaptable, and this was evident during this event. Shu built a fancy hand-made wardrobe and even a pair of all lace high heels to enhance the theme of her makeup: a whole Barbie costume.
 
“I made fancy Barbie dress with less than 50 dollars. I stitched 30 Barbie dolls from the dollar store into a circle base made of metal wires. When I arrived, I got lots of response and it attracted a lot of interest in IMATS,” said Zhang.


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Shu Zhang with model at IMATS Vancouver.
The competition has gives each of the artists ninety minutes of application, including hair styling, makeup, body painting and wardrobe. Zhang showed amazing skill in high speed makeup application under huge pressure and stress, with many audience members looking around. She made fantasy hair styling in a short 15 minutes, when a professional hairstylist would take an hour.
 
“I told myself not to feel like I was in a competition, because there always will be people better than you, so just enjoy yourself and have fun. I had the ability to show my skills, focus on how the brush worked in my hands,” she said. “I have been doing art for more than ten years. In particular, I’ve had lots of experience in hand craft, that helped a lot with a raised speed in makeup and styling.”
 
Zhang showed her skills while working with her friend Laura Village as her model, who has been her model in IMATS twice. Village is also a makeup artist in Colombia.
 
“Laura has an innocent and pure face and I love to do work on her,” said Zhang.
 
She also had professional film makeup artist Stan Edmond as an advisor for IMATS Vancouver. Both Edmond and Village provided Shu with a great support system for a high stress situation.
 
“Shu is breaking the limitations of traditional make-up. She is able to achieve the perfect combination of art and make-up,” said Village.
 
With winning, Zhang’s final work was published in professional makeup magazine “Makeup Artist” twice. She received a reward, and a scholarship from Cinema Makeup School (CMS). She also got lots of prizes from several famous makeup brands, which provide her with the most advanced makeup cosmetics in the industry. For her however, the greatest win is the potential to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
 
“I hope my success in the international industry attracts more and more Chinese students to study, volunteer, and work in the United States and abroad,” she concluded. ​
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Shu Zhang with team at IMATS Los Angeles.
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FINDING COMMON GROUND WITH CANADA'S DAHOV

4/19/2017

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​  Music is a global language. In particular, popular music speaks to the masses across all boundaries. Music is visceral and causes us to move in spite of ourselves, freeing one from society’s subliminally imposed self-control. Pop music has the added benefit of letting bits of other cultures creep into our awareness. George Harrison and Ravi Shankar’s influence in the sound of the Beatles, the rock band Styx using Japanese culture in “Kilroy Was Here” (Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto), Rapper Matisyahu, Psy’s “Gangam Style” and its ubiquity on radio across the planet, all testify to the artists’ desire to inspire with their own culture as well as be influenced by those of others. Rather than “code switching”, these artists and others understand that the differences we possess are beneficial because they can bring us together rather than separate us. Two different artists with different heritage came together in Montreal when Canadian Dahov and American Mickey Singh performed a show at the Club Arena to a clambering crowd of nearly 1,000. While these entertainers and their fans are different they came together in a Venn Diagram union of House Music. The only thing that was left after the dynamic performances of both musicians was a unified crowd who had experienced the concert of a lifetime.
  Both Dahov and Singh brought their own influences to this performance but each is also an interesting blending of cultures unto themselves. Dahov was born in Dubai but his family is originally Armenian. He frequently contributes to the fans and audience’s awareness of his Armenian heritage through music. The percussionist/entertainer comments, “Once in a while I throw Armenian melodies into my performances. That can sometimes be problematic as our traditional beat is 6/8 which makes mixing it with a modern electronic or pop sound a bit more difficult.  Nevertheless, Armenians have a very rich music culture and many legends in the music industry with artists like: Cher, Charles Aznavour, System of A Down, etc. System of a Down has used this approach many times in a lot of their concerts and songs. It’s unique and immediately identifiable. Armenians, like any group of people, are a very proud culture. I’m very happy that I have been able to expose the general public to what we have to offer.”
  Harmanjit "Mickey" Singh is an Indian-born American singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, model, and actor, based in Los Angeles. His first mixtape of Punjabi and English music, titled "Mick's Tape", was released for free download on July 22, 2013. His music combines Urban-Desi genre with American and Punjabi music, peppered with jazz influences. Making a conscious and calculated move to represent himself as he is, including his family’s heritage, has resulted in Singh bringing a strong presence to the dance music market. Performing in Canada would serve to spread the breadth of his exposure in the North. 
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                                              (PHOTO COURTESY OF ARA SASSSOUNIAN)
​  Dahov’s performance at the Club Arena show in Montreal is far from what the normal concert goer would expect. He often performs on a middle eastern drum called a derbake; supplemented at this show with a Latin percussion setup (bongo, congas, djembe, and timbales) and two dancers. Dahov is not a singer but rather a percussionist/entertainer. To understand his abilities to hype up a crowd and culminate a fervor, one must witness him in person (though his website contains video examples and YouTube is filled with them). It’s this ability to manifest excitement that first led Harpaul Singh (owner of Jannat Productionz) to work with Dahov and seek him out to perform at this event. Harpul confirms, “Dahov is enormously entertaining, incredibly talented, and a very creative performer! Let me tell you, no matter who you are or how old you are, his shows will make even the laziest audience member get up and put their hands in the air!!  He gets the crowd going with his dynamic nature and talent! His professionalism is exemplary. He is kind, attentive, and reliable. Perhaps the most amazing thing about Dahov is that he understands people on a core level…how they want to relax and interact. He has this inherent ability to reach inside you and pull you into the group, in spite of yourself sometimes…to help you have fun. It’s a gift!”
  Every performer appreciates the adulation of the public and their peers. Dahov admired Mickey’s performance and music that night and it was reciprocated. Dahov notes, “I think when he saw me performing live and heard the power of the derbake, he thought this is a really powerful instrument and it seems the beat on it is keeping everyone on their toes! Mickey’s beats were mostly fast, so he knew as well it would be a perfect fusion.” He goes further to state, “I’ve done other gigs where I needed to customize or alter my show a bit to make sure that I was meeting the crowd and the artist in a general area that we share and can automatically relax with. Performing at this show with Mickey, it was easier to blend in. I started off with club music and then transitioned to Bhangra music. That got the crowd going and, as soon as I was done…BANG! Mickey took over with one of his most famous songs. It was a perfect blend!”
  Part of the reason for collaborations such as this one in Montreal between Dahov and Mickey Singh is to cross pollinate their fan bases. This has been a focus of the music and entertainment industry for as long as anyone can remember. Contrary to a solely finance based marketing ploy, this pairing proved quite successful in bringing new music to the fans of both artists. Dahov concedes, “Harpaul actually was very interested in me as he knew he could introduce me into the South Asian community where there was/is a big market for something unique like what I do. The South Asian community is really a big party loving community. His approach was very clever and has worked very well. Mickey is a very talented artist. I had listened to a lot of his music when I attended and performed at many of the South Asian events along with Harpaul. His kind of music was very familiar to my ears as I already did enjoy Indian music and actually speak a bit of the language myself. Mickey Singh is one of the first Indian singers who has taken Indian music to a more club style English oriented beat. I liked that a lot because his music wouldn’t sound unfamiliar to mine as it is very close to the regular club music that we hear every day! I really love the idea that music can bring everyone closer…all in the name of having fun!”
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                                                 (PHOTO COURTESY OF ARA SASSOUNIAN)
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JANE JOHNSTON CREATES THE MODERN "FASHION PLATE" FOR HGTV HOSTS

4/19/2017

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  While a great deal of Reality TV is purely about entertainment, smoke and mirrors if you will; HGTV has been very successful in creating programming that has a major impact on not only the lives of those featured in the programming but also in that of the viewers. Owning a home that they live is integral the American Dream. What’s more, HGTV has proved that this concept is essential to almost everyone on the planet. Rejecting the previously held conception which states that large amounts of money or luck is necessary to realize your dream home, HGTV programming has equipped viewers with the knowledge and creativity to understand that a better home (and life) does not require fortuitous factors. Talented expert hosts display and explain how to make your chosen domicile reflect your own tastes and desires. This also happens to be the role which the very talented Jane Johnston performs for many of the HGTV hosts in promos for their programs. Johnston is an award-winning and celebrated costume designer with a long list of film and TV credits including: Macbeth (starring Sam Worthington), A Deadly Adoption (starring Will Ferrell & Kristin Wiig), The Ghost and the Whale (starring Jonathan Pryce & Tippi Hedren), and multiple others. As a costume designer who creates the looks for Hollywood’s A-list celebrities in film, enlisting Johnston was quite a “get” for HGTV. As a major fan of HGTV programming, Johnston was overjoyed to get the call. Working off a brief from the production company, Jane would liaise with HGTV about the looks she created for these HGTV personalities. Considering the previously existing look that the show hosts have in their real life, Johnston notes, ““I think HGTV likes their talent to be ‘relatable’ and that makes sense to me, but each of the hosts has their own personality. It’s important not to lose that and to enhance it where possible.”
  Jane’s role was to find the look that would make the promo concepts work and also make the stars of these shows relaxed. While these programs were based around home improvement, the style of each host varied as widely as the properties that they work with. Jane approached each person with the challenge to make them feel at ease and special simultaneously. In scripted productions, Jane is creating characters. For the HGTV promos, she considers herself more of a stylist as she bridges the gap between what the producers want and what the talent feels comfortable with. HGTV’s “Flip or Flop” depicts husband and wife team Tarek and Christina as they purchase dilapidated properties, renovate them, and then flip them for resale. The couple goes for a “rock” type look. Having recently experiencing a substantial weight loss, Tarek went from his usual shorts and flip flops to stylish boots, jackets, and a wide range of jeans (with Jane’s assistance) resulting in more of a rock-star than rock-fan look. Even so, the couple was willing to go against type for a timeless look which Jane created. Johnston relates, “A promo I did for Flip or Flop necessitated my making a beautiful red 50s gown. The brief was a 50s dress in red. I tried to source an original dress but they were too worn. I then pulled a selection of vintage dresses that I thought could be beautiful on Christina to use as a base shape. After a fitting, I chose a dress that I had made up in an exact shade of red. In the stills we shot, Christina was on a ladder with a loaded paint brush dripping red paint all over Tarek’s slim black suit! It was a very graphic image and made for a great shot. It was definitely not Christina’s normal ‘rock chick’ style but she saw why it worked and got on board. It always makes me happy when I can show someone how amazing they can look in a way that they never imagined.” 
  Discussing a couple of contrasting style hosts, Johnston explains, “Chip and Joanna Gaines (of Fixer Upper) help homebuyers in Texas transform the worst property into the best one with their expertise and design sense. They’re both pretty low fuss and I usually dress them in a style that they would normally wear. The same idea but on the other end of the spectrum is Jessie and Tina, the stars of the new reality TV show "Vintage Flip." Tina and Jessie’s looks were in the classic world, and I really just enhanced what they normally wear. 
  Truly exhibiting the eclectic nature of HGTV and their hosts are the “Property Brothers.” One of HGTV’s most popular shows, “Property Brothers” is a production in which contractor Jonathan Scott and real estate expert Drew Scott combine their skills to help families find and buy a house to transform into their dream home. Drew locates three homes from which to choose (all in need of a serious renovation) while his brother Jonathan's incredible design plans reveal the hidden potential of each. Viewers of the show are familiar with the comedy and the conflict between the siblings. Jane confirms, “Both twins are 6’4 with great physiques, so dressing them is fun as long as I can get the correct lengths for them. They’ll pretty well try anything! But having said that, they also have their own looks. Jonathan is the contractor so his is more of a work look, while Drew is the realtor so he tends to wear more tailored clothing and ties. We have shot promos for them with various themes. In Vegas, it was showgirls and Elvis (Jonathan was a showgirl and Drew the Elvis), in New Orleans it was them dancing with a brass band, and in Miami they were throwing a party on the beach. We’ve done Christmas sweater themes, Holiday segments and Valentine’s Day. They are always fun to work with and have such an amazing attitude.” 
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  Mother and daughter duo Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak bring new life to Indianapolis properties on “Good Bones.” Genetics made certain that the two ladies shared quite a resemblance so Johnston worked to make a difference more noticeable…but not too drastic. Describing her minimal approach, she states, “We needed to create suitable work looks for both mother and daughter that worked together but that also differentiated their personalities. As they had a similar style to each other, their base look was similar but one wore a denim jacket and the other a sleeveless vest in green. As subtle as the difference was, it gave them both individual looks that still worked within their style.” 
  Heather Jagels, Vice President of Creative Services for HGTV and DIY Network professes, “I worked very closely with Jane and I was very impressed with her approach to these multiple promos for HGTV. I wasn’t at all surprised though because Jane has been designing costumes for distinguished productions for over three decades and has maintained acclaim throughout the entire time. Her television and film work is truly impressive with companies like Marvista Entertainment, New Town Films, and so many others. Her AFI Award for “Best Costume Design” vetted her as one of Australia’s most decorated costume designers.” Ask Jane Johnston about the accolades and awards and she’ll direct you back to the work. She states, “I really love doing my job. It makes me happy when I know that the talent love what they are wearing and they feel confident in their clothing. It’s hard to fake that stuff, so it’s important for me to get that right. I also love it when I know I’ve done a good job for HGTV. There’s a saying in this business that you’re only as good as your last job so it’s important to be on one’s A game on every job. That’s just part of being freelance. HGTV is loyal and I always hope to do the best by them so we can continue our professional (and enjoyable) working relationship.”



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Producer Bochen Zhang Brings Award-Winning Films to the Screen!

4/19/2017

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Bochen Zhang at the "Virtual High" screening at New Filmmakers Los Angeles (photo by Yana Bojkova)
Bochen Zhang, a producer originally from China, has quickly immersed herself in Hollywood’s competitive film industry. Within a few short years, she has become the lead producer behind a long list of award-winning projects.

Zhang began her career in China as a producer in 2007. In the decade since, she has gained international attention for her work as the producer behind films such as Sabrina Doyle’s Code Red and Virtual High from directors Alexander Berman (App, which premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival and was purchased by PBS, and Songs From The Tundra) and Camille Stochitch (Maria Bonita, Interstate, starring Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez). Virtual High is part of Disney Channel’s online original short-form movies collection. You can watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvMPICxHgbM

Zhang also helped produce USA Film Festival Award-winner Cristian Sulser’s (Scrabble) Goodbye Vesna and, most recently, Asian American International Film Festival Award-winner Tiffanie Hsu’s (Sutures) Wonderland starring Joan Chen, which took home the Jury Award at UCLA’s MFA Directors’ Spotlight at the DGA theater, and was chosen as an Official Selection of the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival.

“Two of the things I love about Bochen are her ability to get the right people on board and to stay within budget. Making great films is about finding the best people and using every penny to maximize the quality of the production, and that’s exactly what she does,” said writer/director Camille Stochitch.

Zhang completed her MFA at the prestigious American Film Institute – which boasts famous alumni including Andrea Arnold (Transparent), Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), and Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, Glory) – which surrounded Zhang with some of the best talent in Hollywood.
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Earlier this year she produced the film Code Red, a boundary-pushing project led by one of Britain’s best young filmmakers. Directed by multi-award winning director and “BAFTA Brit to Watch” Sabrina Doyle (113 Degrees, Porcupine), Code Red follows two young girls who use technology to combat the stigma around menstruation by creating a video game called Tampon Run. The film is based on the true story of the two teenage girls who created the game and garnered international attention.
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Film Poster for "Code Red"
“‘Code Red’ was everything I loved about the art of storytelling and the art of filmmaking,” said Zhang. “It’s about women pushing past artificial barriers and multiple stigmas to bring about a culture shift.”

The art of filmmaking was evident in the film’s production, too. Zhang explains, “We did our own casting, which brought us to a crossroads: do we cast for the original ethnicity of the girls the story is based on or do we let the talent of the actors open the doors to diversity? We went with the latter.”

The diverse cast of Code Red includes stars Elle Winter from the Hamburg Film Festival Award nominated film About Ray, and Kylee Russell from the films Mississippi Damned and South of Pico, as well as the series Modern Family, Girl Meets World and ER.

Code Red premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2016. It was also supported by the Panavision New Filmmaker Program and the AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Zhang’s entry into the film world didn’t happen overnight. Before devoting herself fully to producing narrative films, Zhang spent several years at home in China producing branded content and corporate campaigns for major companies and TV networks including VW Beetle, CCTV-1 (China Central Television), CCTV-9, Brand Energies and MasterCard.
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Film Poster for "A Part Apart"
A year before moving stateside, Zhang produced the multi-award winning 2012 film A Part Apart directed by Jennifer Schwerin (Elixir, Talking Trash, Tina’s World), which was shot in Beijing with production company Zora Media.
The powerful film followed a set of conjoined twins who decide to be separated after one of the girls falls in love. Although the operation is a success, things get increasingly complicated when each sister continues to sense everything the other one feels.
A Part Apart received a warm reception from audiences, along with numerous industry accolades. It won awards for Best Directing, Best Cinematography and Best Actress from the 2012 National Film Challenge. It proved to Zhang that she knew how to choose meaningful stories and had the skills and determination to bring them to life.
“It opened my eyes to a whole new world of art. Making corporate films was no longer enough for me. I knew I wanted to reach between cultures and tell new stories, the stories I loved… and the ones that might never be made without the people who love them,” says Zhang.
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Angel Cassani: From Finance Guru to Executive Producer

4/15/2017

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PictureExecutive Producer Angel Cassani
Internationally renowned financial guru Angel Cassani built his glowing reputation by relying on his keen instincts as an investor. He’s worked with – and earned a fortune for – colossal multinational corporations and clients from a wide array of industries throughout the U.S. and South America. For the past 10 years though, Cassani has been applying his invaluable skill set to what he calls his true passion: filmmaking.

“Filmmaking is the ultimate form of show business, and without the business part, the show will not exist,” Cassani said. “So the business is the most important part.”

Born in Uruguay, Cassani’s family moved to Argentina when he was 11, an experience which gave him an early insight into the importance of recognizing and adapting to cultural differences across borders. He went on to become an established financial manager, and during his extensive career he’s worked with clients including Fortune 500 companies Avon and Motorola. But Cassani has always been fascinated by movies and by the film industry in general, so in 2008 he expanded his area of expertise into the high stakes business of film production.

“The producer has one of the most exciting jobs in the film industry,” said a passionate Cassani. “You take an idea, develop it into a script, and then you bring all the elements together and make into reality what was written on paper.”

Cassani received his first producer credit for the 2008 film “Never Surrender,” an action-packed thrill ride into the shadowy and deadly world of underground cage fights. The film featured UFC fighters B.J. Penn and Georges St-Pierre, who played fictionalized versions of themselves  alongside a cast that included Patrick Kilpatrick (“Minority Report”), James Russo (“Django Unchained,” “Beverly Hills Cop”) and Argentinian actor and mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Hector Echavarria, who also directed and co-produced the film.


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Film Poster for "Never Surrender"
“[Echavarria] had a spectacular film and television career in Argentina, where we had met a few years before. I had talked to him about my love of filmmaking, and I suggested I could help him with the financing and production,” Cassani recalled. “He instantly agreed, and we produced the movie for the Lionsgate studio in Hollywood.”

The commercial and critical success of their first collaboration prompted Cassani and Echavarria to begin working together regularly, a partnership which has spanned eight films and nearly 10 years. Among those joint productions was the explosive 2015 nail-biter “No Way Out,” which was executive-produced by Cassani and directed by Echavarria. Echavarria stars as undercover detective Juan de los Santos and Danny Trejo (“Machete,” “From Dusk Till Dawn”) as Don Caceres, the leader of the ruthless cartel that Juan infiltrates as part of an investigation which has devastating consequences on him and his family.

After his wife and children are brutally murdered on Don Caceres’ orders, Juan’s unbridled rage and need for revenge drives him to set off on a warpath that leads directly to the Don himself.

“The film’s story was intriguing and fascinating,” said Cassani, explaining why the film was one of his favorites to work on. “It combined action and drama, my two favorite genres, plus it was largely filmed in South America.”

As the film’s executive producer, Cassani had a massive checklist of responsibilities and was heavily involved in every phase of the project.

“I was in charge of securing the financing, I helped secure the locations in South America, and I supervised the production of the whole picture,” he described. “The biggest challenge was matching the scenes we filmed in Hollywood with the scenes that we filmed in South America. We really had to pay attention to the details.”
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Released with the title “Sin Salida” to South American audiences in 2016, “No Way Out” will storm into American theaters in late 2017.

This year, Cassani and Echavarria joined forces yet again for “The Pastor.” The film stars Echavarria as the titular Pastor Miguel, who’s determined to save his small impoverished town from the devastating effects of rampant gang violence that threaten to destroy it. Situated at the crossroads of action and drama, “The Pastor” is currently in post-production and a theatrical release in the U.S. is tentatively slated for 2017.

As Cassani himself said, the entertainment industry is first and foremost a business, and the most important component of any business is money. Financing, marketing, budgeting and ultimately turning a profit are as essential in filmmaking – if not more so – as they are in any other type of business. A production may boast the most talented director, writers, cinematographers, editors and actors, but without an experienced producer to secure investments and manage costs and expenses, the production will almost inevitably be condemned to bankruptcy long before it nears release. The greatest asset a film can have isn’t a star-studded cast or an award-winning director, but a producer like Angel Cassani with unrivaled expertise in fiscal management, a passionate love of filmmaking, and the visionary instinct to know when a film has the potential to be great.
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Editing Genius Rudy Vermorel Engages Millennials with his Work

4/15/2017

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Editor Rudy Vermorel

​Editor Rudy VermorelAt the heart of every production, whether it’s an advertisement or an epic drama, is a story with a purpose. The writers, cinematographers and director are all critical to a project’s creation, but it’s at the editor’s desk where it becomes more than just raw footage and words on a script. It’s up to the editor to see the forest through the trees — to know the story that’s being told, and to be able to put the right scenes together in the right places like so many puzzle pieces, to create the final product that movie theater audiences and home viewers will ultimately see.

The job of an editor can be grueling, but for Rudy Vermorel it’s all a labor of love. Painstakingly parsing through hundreds of hours of footage, one second at a time, is just the beginning of Vermorel’s zen-like process. He cuts, splices and rearranges scenes with a methodical efficiency and confidence honed by experience, breathing life into the story with every move.

“Once I have the footage I start to watch it to get an idea of the general tone,” Vermorel said. “If there is music in the background of the video I listen to the song to feel all the emotions and adapt the song to the footage. Then, I start cutting and I create my magic.”

In 2016, Taco Bell hired Vermorel as the lead editor for the company's web series "Taco Tales," an innovative marketing campaign geared toward the millennial demographic. In each episode, actors reenact Taco Bell-related stories found online at sites like Facebook and Reddit. Lighthearted and at times zany, editing the web series gave Vermorel the chance to showcase his talent for comedic timing. Moreover, the decision by such a massive company to hire Vermorel for a major social media marketing campaign speaks volumes about his talent.

Vermorel worked hard to earn his reputation as a leading figure in the field, a reputation which in turn earned him the trust of a wide array of high-profile clients internationally. Among countless other productions he’s served as the lead editor on advertisements for Ford, music videos for artists including MTV Video Music Award winner Demi Lovato, and in 2016 he expanded his repertoire with a venture into the rapidly growing market of mobile gaming.

Supercell – the group behind the runaway hit game “Clash of Clans” on iPhone and Android smartphones – has relied heavily on its strategy of widespread marketing to entice players into joining, to great effect. When the company released “Clash Royale” in 2016, it began preparing for a massive advertising blitz and Vermorel was recruited as the campaign’s editor.

“I am not a big game player so… at first I was apprehensive about how to edit it,” he said. “I figured out that the best way to work on it was to start playing the game, and I enjoyed it a lot. After that, I had so many ideas for how to highlight ‘Clash Royale,’ and all the fun, strategy and entertainment that make up the game.”

Initially the campaign was challenging for Vermorel, but he quickly adapted and before long the campaign had produced 20 videos publicizing “Clash Royale.” The videos racked up more than 120 million views, and the game became the top downloaded and highest-earning app on the iOS App Store overnight.

“I was very attached to the characters. I attributed to them a very different style, which allowed me to vary the editing techniques,” he said. “I wanted to showcase the funny side of the characters. For that we worked on their design to make them endearing, then I opted for modern dynamic editing in order to attract the interest of a large audience.”

The campaign was such a wild success that Vermorel was asked to continue editing the game’s ad campaigns for the next three years, the first of which will begin development this year. Very few people involved in a production can ever be as intimately familiar with the project as the editor. A dedicated editor can spend days or weeks poring through every scene countless times. They can spend years perfecting the ability to bring the narrative together using the timing, cadence, and music of each scene. An editor’s job is to build order from chaos, to understand the director’s vision for a project and to bring that vision to life. A production is only as good as its editor, and Rudy Vermorel is the best there is.
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