Rex Sikes' Movie Beat

Sam Christensen, (PT 6) Image Expert, began his 35-year career as a concert promoter then worked as the company manager of the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Later Sam served as a executive assistant to renowned playwright/screenwriter/director Arthur Laurents. CBS and MTM Productions brought Sam to Hollywood as an independent casting director. Among his many TV and feature film casting credits was the most popular small screen series of all time, MAS*H. Sam was the first person to ever be accorded front title billing on a major Hollywood release for his casting work on the MGM film, "Coma".  Pictures like "The Champ" and "The Clash Of The Titans" followed.  Sam continued to cast Broadway tours, television series and pilots and acclaimed mini-series, like the Emmy-winning "Jonestown, The Guyana Tragedy".  He retired from active casting in 1982 to become a personal manager and guided the careers of many important actors, including Rita Wilson, Bria

Todd Robinson, director/producer is an Academy Award finalist, Emmy-winning, Independent Spirit Award-nominated filmmaker whose new movie Phantom stars Ed Harris and David Duchovny. His next feature is The Last Full Measure, with Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Robert Duvall, Andy Garcia, Laurence Fishburne and others. John Watson, Pen Densham and Trilogy Entertainment will produce. He wrote and directed Lonely Hearts, starring John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Salma Hayek, Jared Leto and Laura Dern. He wrote and produced White Squall starring Jeff Bridges directed by Ridley Scott, The Four Diamonds, directed by Peter Werner, and Mermaid, helmed by Peter Masterson. Todd scripted That Others May Live for Wolfgang Peterson and was a contributing writer on Bad Boys II, directed by Michael Bay. He worked on Lewis and Clark, that will be Pietro Scalia’s directing debut and is attached to direct Bloody Jack from the novel of the same name, starring Anna Sophia Robb. Other projects are Quest for Scion, for

Pen Densham, PT 2, Producer, Writer, Author, Director, Founder, co-chairman of Trilogy Entertainment Group  new movie is PHANTOM starring Ed Harris, David Duchovny, WIlliiam Fitchner.  Pen and John Watson,  founded Trilogy Entertainment Group and worked as creative consultants on films ROCKY II, and FOOTLOOSE.  In 1988 Pen directed Trilogy's first major studio feature, THE KISS, for Tri-Star.  In 1990, Densham and Watson wrote and produced ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES for Morgan Creek and Warner Brothers. The film became one of Warners’ largest grossing movies ever. They produced BACKDRAFT directed by Ron Howard. Pen wrote and directed  MOLL FLANDERS for MGM and Spelling Entertainment, starring Morgan Freeman & Robin Wright-Penn. Pen wrote and directed HOUDINI, for TV, which starred Johnathon Schaech, Mark Ruffalo and Emile Hirsch. Pen has been active as a Producer on every feature film that Trilogy produced, including:  BLOWN AWAY, TANK GIRL, LARGER THAN LIFE, THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS. JUST BUR

Peter Marshall Pt 22 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 series

Peter Sherayko, 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’s Guide 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 portray

Paul Rachman, PT 2director producer, began his film career making underground punk films and music videos for bands such as the Bad Brains, Gang Green and Mission of Burma in the 1980’s.  He became one of the of the industry's top music video directors at Propaganda Films in L A where he worked with Alice in Chains, Roger Waters, Kiss, Joan Jett, Pantera, The Replacements and the Pearl Jam / Soundgarden collaboration Temple of the Dog.  By 1995 he had directed several award winning short films, Drive Baby Drive and a series of collaborations with NPR storyteller Joe Frank for CBS television and Cinemax (Memories, The Hitchhiker, The Perfect Woman, Jilted Lover).  Paul made his feature directorial debut in 2000 with Four Dogs Playing Poker starring Forrest Whittaker, Balthazar Getty, Tim Curry and Olivia Williams, the film was released by Showtime and Warner Home Video.  In 2006 his punk documentary American Hardcore premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released by Sony Pictures Classics.  His secon

Randy Miller, an award winning film composer, arranger, conductor. Having collaborated with exceptionally talented filmmakers and artists such as: Oliver Stone, Robert Towne, Anothony Hopkins, Zhang Yimou, Robert Dornhelm, Paula Wagner, Tom Cruise, Kitaro, Michael Franti, and BT. Miller has created a career that features acoustic, orchestral music that is emotional, richly thematic, sophisticated as well as dynamic in scope. He feels his strongest assets are, “to capture the drama and heart of what a director is trying to communicate” and to “compose a score that adds texture, color and dimension, with just the right amount of emotion.” Mr. Miller has worked with all the major studios including, Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal, Paramount and Sony, as well as numerous independent filmmakers. Composing and conducting assignments have led to work in many cities around the world including: London, Bratislava, New York, Munich, Prague, Moscow, Dublin, Miami, Seattle and Los Angeles. Miller maintains recording f

Adam Levenberg, screenwriter consultant. Adam is one of Hollywood's most in demand screenwriting consultants and turned his experience working with unrepresented screenwriters into his book “The Starter Screenplay”. As a reader for USA Films, Adam recommended scripts such as “Hollywoodland” and “Sylvia”, which were both produced by the studio. After working as a Creative Executive for Intuition Productions (“The Stepford Wives”, “Passengers”) Adam moved on to One Race Films (“XXX”, “The Pacifier”, “Find me Guilty”, “Fast & Furious”) where he became the company's Development Executive. As an independent consultant, Adam's clients now include one of Hollywood's biggest producers as well as a legendary Academy Award winning actor. Adam is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Critical Studies. He is now host of “The Official Screenwriting Podcast” and runs officialscreenwriting dot com. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings,

Peter Marshall Pt 21 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 series

Daniel Veluzat, PT 2 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

Paul Rachman, director producer, began his film career making underground punk films and music videos for bands such as the Bad Brains, Gang Green and Mission of Burma in the 1980’s.  He became one of the of the industry's top music video directors at Propaganda Films in L A where he worked with Alice in Chains, Roger Waters, Kiss, Joan Jett, Pantera, The Replacements and the Pearl Jam / Soundgarden collaboration Temple of the Dog.  By 1995 he had directed several award winning short films, Drive Baby Drive and a series of collaborations with NPR storyteller Joe Frank for CBS television and Cinemax (Memories, The Hitchhiker, The Perfect Woman, Jilted Lover).  Paul made his feature directorial debut in 2000 with Four Dogs Playing Poker starring Forrest Whittaker, Balthazar Getty, Tim Curry and Olivia Williams, the film was released by Showtime and Warner Home Video.  In 2006 his punk documentary American Hardcore premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released by Sony Pictures Classics.  His second fe

Rubin Whtimore ll, director, has lectured on media’s impact on society and his music videos experiences at numerous universities. He is a veteran filmmaker with close to one hundred film projects, from documentaries to music videos. Rubin has amassed over fifteen gold, platinum and multi-platinum plaques for producing and directing music videos and currently directs music videos under the pseudonym Ali Baba. He was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and by the age of 13 he had created a bunch of video shorts in various genres from suspense to westerns and sci-fi. Rubin is pursuing his masters of fine art in Digital Cinema and master’s in English at National University in California. His bachelor’s in Radio/TV/Film is from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he was nominated outstanding young alumni and was part of the team that won a student academy award during his undergraduate years. While at UW-O he created their first music video television show, the second longest running television program

Jessi Jordan, performance coach & producer is a CEO,  Entrepreneur, a Billboard Credited Music Producer, and an Intuitive Performance Coach who works with  actors and artists in clearing the blocks that have prevented their career success. She is the founder of Jessi Jordan Coaching and co-founder of AJA Creative Energy Consultants. She has worked closely with Amy Jo Berman (Casting Director and former Vice President of Casting at HBO) to create “Pilot Season Domination” and“Audition Domination”. Jessi is  highly regarded as a catalyst for fast transformation of actors, artists, writers, directors and producers looking to take their artistic careers to the next level. She spoke at a special private event at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences last May, which drew a standing room only crowd. Jordan is a sought after coach and her clients have gone on to appear and star in such  shows as "Dexter", "Shameless", "True Blood", "Touch", "Supernatural", &

Daniel Veluzat, 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 liaison

Nick Vallelonga, PT 2 director, 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, Michael

Christopher Lockhart is a Hollywood executive, filmmaker and educator. He started his career at ICM working alongside legendary talent agent Ed Limato, advising him on projects for his star-studded clientele that included Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Richard Gere, Steve Martin, Robert Downey, Jr., and Liam Neeson. Chris also ran the Story Department and oversaw the Agent Trainee Program.  Chris followed Limato to the William Morris and stayed by Limato’s side until Ed's death in 2010. Chris remains at WME as the Story Editor, helping find projects for talent like Denzel Washington.  As a filmmaker, Chris co-produced the 2009 cult horror movie “The Collector,”  He wrote and produced the documentary “Most Valuable Players,” which won many awards on the festival circuit including the “Documentary Channel Audience Award” at the Nashville Film Festival.  It made its theatrical debut in 2010 and was hailed by the International Documentary Association as the “feel good documentary of the year.”   It was subsequent

Eddie and Michael Spears, Actors, Native Americans have had careers in movie since they were youngsters. Eddie Spears has been in the spotlight since age 10 starting with his first role in the Turner production of Geronimo, The Witness, Through the Window, and Somebody said Pow Wow. Michael Spears role in “Dances with Wolves” as Otter, catapulted him into the world of Film, Music and Public Speaking. Before the age of 17, Michael had the privilege to learn from and work with many great actors such as, Jimmy Smitts and Kim Delaney, in ABC’S production of the “Broken Chord” which Michael played the role of Adam, a child born with fetal alcohol syndrome. And numerous other productions. Both continue to work all the time. Eddie’s most recent credits include the AMC series Hell On Wheels, Guns, Girls, & Gambling, The Legend of Hells Gate, the HBO mini series ury My Heart at Wounded Knee,  Comanche Moon, The  TNT/ Spielberg mini series “Into the West”and Rick Schroder’s directorial film “Black Cloud. Michael ha

Lenore Andriel, Actor,  Steve Doucette wrote and produced Yellow Rock starring Michael Biehn, James Russo and Andriel. Adriel's first starring film role was with Bo Svenson in Blood Brothers. She had leads in award-winning inde films in including Childhood with Tara Fitzgerald, Midnight Witness with Maxwell Caulfield, and the tear-jerker indie Desperate Measures. She also starred opposite Paul Rudd, Dennis Haysbert, Paul Johansson, and Miguel Ferrer, in film and television. She portrays several lead characters in World Of Warcraft. Her list of gaming characters for Blizzard includes: Ysera, Mothership, Archival System, and more. An avld traveler, passionate about the environment, and a consummate horsewoman, In Yellow Rock she portrayed the strong female lead 'Doctor Sarah Taylor', Andriel's and Doucettes first venture as a filmmaker paid off, winning her a coveted “Best Actress” Award, “Best Screenplay” - Shared with Co-Writer Steve Doucette, “Best Picture” multiple times, And “Best Producer” before the film

Adam Rifkin writer, director, producer, actor has new series on Showtime "Reality Show". Adam's eclectic career ranges from broad family comedies to cult classics to dark and gritty urban dramas. As a writer, he made his mark with hit films like MOUSEHUNT, starring Nathan Lane and SMALL SOLDIERS, starring Tommy Lee Jones for Dreamworks. Recent credits include Sony’s ZOOM, starring Tim Allen and Disney's UNDERDOG, starring Jason Lee as the canine hero. Rifkin earned cult status when his film THE DARK BACKWARD, which he wrote and directed, was named one of the top ten films of its year by The New York Post. He is immortalized as the director responsible for New Line Cinema’s DETROIT ROCK CITY, a bona fide cult classic that introduced a whole new generation of fans to the “hottest band in the world…KISS!!!” Rifkin gained critical recognition for NIGHT AT THE GOLDEN EAGLE, a film which he not only wrote and directed, but also produced. The film was an official selection of the London Film Festival and o

Kristen Nedopak, (PT2), Creator, Actress, Host of several popular series and films, including The Skyrim Parodies, Outta This World: The Art of Fantasy & Sci-Fi, PUCKER and The Wheel of Time News. In early 2012, Skyrim: To Lydia with Love (2012 Dragon*Con Film Festival official selection) gained Nedopak recognition, and she has since then managed a successful IndieGoGo Campaign to fund six more parodies currently in post-production. She is partnering with Jedi Camp Director Bill Ostroff to create The Geekie Awards, an awards event for geek artists, cosplayers, filmmakers and more. Kristen is the co-creator/host of the original series Fight Class, where she works with movie swordmasters to recreate popular fight scenes from film and television; and a host/producer of the popular geek show Think Hero TV, partnering with major networks such as HBO, Starz, SyFy and The WB/CW to cover all things geeky on TV. Kristen can be seen on the cover of Faery World Magazine for her one-of-a-kind costume creations, and i