Rex Sikes' Movie Beat

GIL CATES, JR. (Producer Director) has produced and directed many films and documentaries, including the 2013 feature film Jobs, which he co-produced, starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, and Matthew Modine, and the 2011 feature film Lucky, which he directed, starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor, Ann-Margret and Jeffrey Tambor. In addition, Gil produced and directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which won best documentary at the Phoenix Film Festival and later had it’s premiere Christmas Eve on Showtime. His other films include Deal, starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison, and Charles Durning, The Mesmerist, starring Neil Patrick Harris, and the critically acclaimed independent film Order of Chaos, which was released in the summer of 2010. Gil also made his TV directorial debut with an episode of the NBC comedy, Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc, and most recently completed the feature film The Surface, starring Sean Astin and Chris Mulkey, whic

Debra Granik, director, nominated for Academy Award, and co-writer of Winter’s Bone, which was nominated for four Oscars, including  Best Picture, and won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Granik’s first feature film, Down to the Bone, was awarded the Best Director prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. She is known for her amazing work with actors, essentially launching the careers of both Vera Farmiga and Jennifer Lawrence. Her work is known for an instinctive, collaborative style that Granik describes as “late-breaking global neorealism.” Granik’s most recent offering, the documentary Stray Dog, began with a chance encounter while scouting and casting Winter’s Bone. Granik met Ron “Stray Dog” Hall in the Biker Church of Branson and cast him as the film’s estranged father, Thump Milton. Of her work she says, “The question I’ve had for most of my life is, ‘How are you coping?’ Some people have these small, positive schemes for survival, a kind of strength that I am attracted to, may

Peter Sherayko, (PT 2) Actor, and owner of Caravan West a supplier of  horses, tack, artillery, costumes, props, Prod. Designer, Art Director, Prop Master, Wranglers, and Sets for movies, played 'Farley' in 'Yellow Rock'. Peter created his company to bring quality to the Hollywood Western and provide today’s demanding film audience with the most authentic product possible.  In the process, Sherayko has become recognized as historian and author, appearing in numerous Wild West Tech episodes for the History Channel and as technical consultant and supplier to both the History and Discovery Channels. His first book, Tombstone: The Guns and Gear is lauded in Flayderman’sGuide to Antique Weapons as one of the 100 books every collector should have on their bookshelf, the book grew out of his work on the Western film classic, Tombstone.  Peter researched the weaponry of every character as he designed the firearms he provided.  His company Caravan West Productions coordinated the saddles and the Buckaroos, and Peter p

Horror Equity Fund, LLC leads the industry in genre-specific funding solutions for horror-centric projects including films, ancillary rights exploitation and other horror-related projects. Unlike “pre-sale” or donation-based crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, which solicit donations or contributions in return for a poster, download, or other consideration, Horror Projects presented through HEF offer real ownership and profit participation (an equitable interest) for its Investors. Horror projects include: Transmedia market projects; Feature Films; TV Episodic(s); Graphic Novels; Motion Comics and more. We talk with: CEO Marlon W. Schulman’s an entrepreneurial producer and attorney, his specialty is the creation of diverse profit-driven entertainment products and services through innovatively conceived integration of proven strategies with new technologies. Brian Herskowitz is a veteran Hollywood producer, writer, and director of feature films, TV series and digital series. He is the author of the best-s

Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series"  EP 6 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television,  His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man.  From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discover

Brian Herskowitz, Screenwriter, has completed over a dozen feature films. His first produced feature was a low budget slasher titled DARKROOM. He wrote and directed the award winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring Jason Alexander, Red Buttons, Jason Schwartzman. Brian wrote, directed, and produced the documentary 1736: SOMEWHERE TO TURN and the short film JOANNE. His TV writing credits include staff writing on NBC's BLOSSOM, episodes of HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and ACAPULCO HEAT, HBO's DREAM ON, CBS’s RENEGADE, THE EXILE, MURDER, SHE WROTE, the TV movie MURDER OF MY AUNT, FOX Network’s YOUNG HERCULES, and CBS’s TOUR OF DUTY. He co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. He worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON, and LISTEN UP. Brian line produced the web series THE BROADROOM, Brian produced UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT (co-writer), and BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS from director-writer Allan Katz (MASH, BIG MAN ON CAMPUS),  MUSICAL CHAIRS, TIO PAPI which he co-wrote.  He has numerous upcoming

Daniel Veluzat, PT 3 producer, movie set ranch owner, is an entrepreneur like no other. He started off in the entertainment business over 30 years ago. As a young boy Daniel grew up on movie/TV sets such as 1941 starring John Belushi, Baba Black Sheep starring Robert Conrad, McMillian and Wife starring Rock Hudson, and Maverick - The Lazy Ace starring James Garner. Daniel pportunities visiting "Fantasy Island",  "Gilligan's Island", and cruising the streets of Hazzard County in his family owned General Lee's from "Duke's of Hazzard". His family built many vehicles for TV and movies. He rode in General Lee's, Army tanks, Kit from "Knight Rider" and even the "A-Team" van. Today, he owns and helps run The Veluzat Motion Picture Ranch and Melody Ranch Studios located in the Santa Clarita Valley area. Both ranches have been the backdrop where countless movies, TV shows, commercials and music videos have been filmed. Daniel has worked on the ranches as a location li

Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series"  EP 5 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television,  His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man.  From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discover

Lenore Andreil PT3 Producer, Director, Actress. Adriel did all three on Yellow Rock. Distributed Worldwide it won 18 Awards, including the prestigious "Wrangler Awards", in every category from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Lenore won for Producing and Best Picture with her partners Steve Doucette, Daniel Veluzat, & Nick Vallelonga, and Best Screenplay with Steve Douctte. She won Best Actress. Her Co-Stars are Michael Biehn, James Russo, and Michael & Eddie Spears. She is in good company, since "Wranglers" have been awarded in the same categories, to Clint Eastwood (for "Forgiven"), Kevin Costner (for "Dances With Wolves"), and Annette Benning for "Open Range". She also won in the same categories from many film festivals across the country, including the Red Nation Film Festival, Lake Arrowhead Film Fest, and the Native American Film & Video Fest of the Southeast, to name just a few. Her first starring film role was opposite Bo Sv

John T. Trigonis Crowdfuning, author, filmmaker - A behind-the-scenes consulting machine, John T. Trigonis has mentored hundreds of filmmakers worldwide and helped them to create compelling crowdfunding experiences that not only reach, but also exceed their goals. A writer and indie filmmaker himself, Trigonis literally wrote the book on Crowdfunding for Filmmakers after running his own Indiegogo campaign for his short film Cerise and surpassing his goal, setting the bar at an all-new high with regards to how online fundraising for independent films should be done. Cerise has since screened at over a dozen film festivals across the country, was nominated for four awards, won an “Award of Merit,” and participated in the Court Métrage at the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival. Trigons now puts his prowess to the ultimate task as Indiegogo’s specialist for film campaigns, and in the year and a half he's been with Indiegogo, he has coached over 1,000 film campaigns to success, including:Trigonis is currently

In "Full Circle", a dedicated priest comes across a disturbing photo of a child in a casket while he's cleaning out the home of a recently deceased older woman. He finds himself pulled between the spiritual and physical worlds until coming to the unexpected revelation behind the photo. Karla S Bryant began screenwriting by giving the NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Challenge a try. All of her entries placed so she then took SreenwritingU intensive class. Her 1st short story, “Not My Secret to Tell” is optioned by Mondall Films in NYC. Karla adapted Full Circle, her 2nd story, as a screenplay. Currently its in production by Living Storm Productions (LSP). 2 other stories, “Thicker Than Water” and “One More Turn” have both been named as #1 top-rated stories for their respective months on Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope website. Director/Producer for LSP, Jeff Blankenship directed 2 short films written by Craig Olson “Killboy & Krash” and “Stones”. He was DOP on the short “Red Light”, writte

Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series"  EP 4 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television,  His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man.  From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discover

LENORE ANDRIEL EP 2 producer, writer, actress Lenore Andriel, starred in the western film “Yellow Rock”, returns to the show to discuss producing in film and television. er path forever. Andriel grew up on the east coast, moved to NYC to study with many award-winning teachers. Her theatre work was instantly successful with lead roles from Off-Broadway to Lincoln Center. Her first starring film role was opposite Bo Svenson in Blood Brothers, which led to her continuing to being cast as the “strong female lead”. She then played leads in award-winning independent films in both the u.s. and abroad, including Childhood opposite Tara Fitzgerald, which filmed throughout eastern europe, Midnight Witness, that gave her, with Maxwell Caulfield, and Desperate Measures,  additionally starred opposite Paul Rudd, Dennis Haysbert, Paul Johansson, and Miguel Ferrer, to name a few in both film and television. As a voice-over actress she portrays several lead characters in “World Of Warcraft”. The next phase of her career, was

Nick Vallelonga, director,(PT 2)  producer, writer, actor, developed 1st appeared in the wedding scenes of The Godfather at 12. He had roles in Family Business, Prizzi’s Honor, Goodfellas, and The Pope of Greenwich Village. Nick and writer/director Christopher Coppola teamed up on Deadfall starring Nicolas Cage, Michael Biehn, James Coburn, Charlie Sheen, Peter Fonda, Talia Shire.  Nick wrote and directed A Brilliant Disguise starring Tony Denison, Lysette Anthony, and Corbin Bernsen, and Corporate Ladder starring Kathleen Kinmont, Tony Denison, Ben Cross, Jon Polito and Jennifer O'Neil. Nick wrote, produced, directed, acted in In the Kingdom of the Blind. staring William Petersen, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield, Leo Rossi, Kristian Alfonso and Nick's dad, Tony Lip (The Sopranos). In 2005 Nick tested the limits of low-budget HD cinema with Disturbance" (aka Choker) starring himself, Paul Sloan, Colleen Porch, Hayley DuMond and Tony Denison. He produced and directed, All In, starring Dominique Swain, Michae

Michael Frost Beckner "The Screewriter Series"  EP 3 Screenwriter on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television,  His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man.  From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discover

Peter Marshall, Pt 28 The Director's Series - The nuts & bolts of directing film and television with Peter Marshall. Peter has had a 35-year career and has worked as a PA, dolly grip, electrician, assistant cameraman, commercial production manager, first assistant director, TV series creative consultant, television producer and director. He has worked on industrial films, documentaries; television commercials, music videos; Emmy Award nominated TV series and features. Peter has directed over 30 TV episodes and written, directed or produced over 50 hours of documentary educational programs. His works have won, or been nominated for 14 International awards. He's worked for directors such as Zack Snyder, John Woo, Ed Wick, Phillip Noyce, John Balham, Roger Adam, Anne Wheeler, Bobby Roth & Kim Manners. He has worked with actors including Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Kathy Bates, Adam Sandler and Peter O'Toole. Other credits inclurde scores of television serie

Success Tips. Yes this may be different than what you expect. We were to have Nick Vallelonga, director, (PT 2) producer, writer, actor, as guest today, and at last minute had to postpone show. So after I made a few announcements I went on to share some of my thoughts on how to be successful and happy as filmmakers or simply as people. You can implement these powerful practices for shaping your thinking, your feelings and behaviors to get in alignment and move your career forward, and to enjoy more in life. I offer practical powerful things you can think and do that make an incredible difference for how you move through you day and your life. It was a spontaneous talk on my part but comes from decades of applying and sharing this approach world wide. Listen, enjoy and take away with you something useful. Repeated listening each day or week can be very useful. I apologize our show changed today but I am happy to share with you a tiny taste of my thoughts and feelings and practices about making your dreams come

Michael Beckner "The Screenwriter Series" EP 2 on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television,  His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man.  From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing two television series. Recent writing credits include: CSI: Crime Scene Investigators, Discovery's Gold Fever, and

Michael Frost Beckner "The Screenwriter's Series" EP 1, [NOTE!!! Show ends abrubtly last 4 minutes, cable company line went down - topic resumes next Episode.] on Rex Sikes' Movie Beat. Michael launched his writing career with three record-making “spec” script sales: Texas Lead & Gold, Cutthroat Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's writtern dozens of screenplays, studio rewrites, twenty pilots for commercial and cable networks, numerous episodes for network television,  His first original film Sniper spawned three sequels. His big-screen success came with Universal's Spy Games, directed by Tony Scott starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He created, Excutive Producered and wrote the CBS series, The Agency. He began his career as director, Barry Levinson’s Writing Assistant working with the director on Good Morning, Vietnam and Rain Man.  From 1997 to 2008, he worked extensively with director, Sydney Pollack, adapting John Le Carre’s The Night Manager and writing two more films and developing t

David Winning, PT 3, director ,16 features, 25 series, over 100 TV credits is mainly known for his work on Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, MGM’s Stargate: Atlantis, ABC’s Dinotopia and the HBO thriller Exception to The Rule, starring Kim Cattrall, Sean Young and Eric McCormack. At 27, he landed directing gigs on the Canadian-produced Friday the 13th: The Series for Paramount Pictures he received three Canadian Emmy Award nominations. M. Night Shyamalan has cited Winning’s episode of Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark:  The Tale of the Dream Girl, as the inspiration for The Sixth Sense.  His episodic work has received twenty-four first places at the Houston Film Festival, a Gold Hugo and two Silver Hugos in Chicago, and Four national Gemini nominations for Best Director/Dramatic Series. He has received over 60 international awards.  He has directed many international stars including: Daniel Baldwin, Patrick Duffy, Peter Strauss, William Devane, Peta Wilson, Markie Post, Lance Henriksen, Frederic Forrest, J