Shows
EncoreNOWRewards from Chasing Difficult DreamsKaustuv Mukherjee is a self-taught filmmaker who balances a career in engineering with his passion for cinema. Originally from eastern India, he shares his journey from Boston and Singapore to discovering a creative home in St. Louis, where the warmth of the community inspired him to stay.Kaustuv reflects on making films without formal training, the thrill of storytelling through visual art, and how his love of still photography and painting evolved into independent filmmaking.Check out his films on EncoreNOW
2025-07-091h 28EncoreNOWCommunity Outreach StrategiesLearn how to build community around your art in this Masterclass.Whether you're dreaming about becoming a filmmaker or have decades of experience in the field, Cinema St. Louis Masterclasses help you go to the next level.Watch more videos from STL artists and organizations on EncoreNOW
2025-02-1445 minEncoreNOWThe Art of Documentary Film ProductionsThis episode is an encore of the a documentary masterclass, which was filmed at the St. Louis International Film Festival.Take a deep dive into documentary production.PanelistsAlex RafiBen ScholleChent SteinbrinkMitchell WenkusFind more content from STL artists and venues on EncoreNOW.
2025-02-1136 minEncoreNOWThe Importance of Original Work - Montana TakacsMontana Takacs shares her path to professional acting, which included formal training at SIUE. She discusses the importance of creating original work and unpacks her character in the play That Woman - The Monologue Show. Montana also explores the relationship between writing and acting and emphasizes the significance of Fringe Festivals.
In the monologue show, Montana plays Mary Pinchot Meyer, who was a pacifist and writer. She had an affair with JFK, and was ultimately murdered just months after JFK's assignation. Some believe this was because State secrets had been disclosed to her.
Watch Montana's performance in That Woman...
2024-10-221h 05EncoreNOWStanding Out as a Dancer - Jenny BattenbergJenny Battenberg shares her inspiring story from waiting tables to pursuing her passion for dance. From her rural upbringing in Villa Ridge, Missouri, to auditions and training, Jenny takes us inside the challenges and rewards of being a dancer.
She also discusses her love for choreography, the importance of training, and the joy of both performing and teaching.
This episode covers various topics, including body image pressures, self-acceptance, building an artistic community, and overcoming self-doubt.
Watch more great content on EncoreNOW.
2024-09-101h 20EncoreNOWTurning A Hobby Into A Career - Tayler CarterTayler Carter, a filmmaker originally from Troy, Missouri, shares his journey into the creative field of animation.
Despite an initial focus on what he considered rigorous academics, Tayler experienced extreme burnout. An unexpected study break created the awakening he needed to following his true passion for creative arts. This led him to Webster University where he wrote horror and comedy scripts.
His animated film "The Automaton" was recently showcased at a Filmmaker Showcase and is now streaming on EncoreNOW.
https://encorenow.app.link/Automaton
2024-09-031h 12EncoreNOWThe Face Behind the Booth - DJ PharaohDJ Pharaoh is a music producer and nightclub DJ. He shares his journey into music, collaborations with artists, and experiences at music festivals. He delves into his education in audio engineering, his career, and the challenges of gaining recognition on social media.
The discussion also explores the St. Louis music scene, the use of technology in music, and the importance of positive interactions in the industry.
Listen to DJ Pharaoh's Music
Follow DJ Pharaoh on Instagram - @pharaohmakinbeats
2024-08-271h 13
EncoreNOWBut You'd Be a Great Mom - Hollie BrubakerWhen we hear stories about infertility, they often conclude with a beautiful baby at the end. What about those that don’t?
Hollie Brubaker is an Emmy-award winning filmmaker. She discusses her own infertility journey and how it almost cost her everything in her documentary - But You'd Be a Great Mom.
Watch now on EncoreNOW.
2024-08-121h 22EncoreNOWInspired Storytelling - Mia BibleMia Bible is an actor, producer and screenwriter. Her resume consists of stage, film and commercial credits. Mia's short film "Honorable" premiered to critical acclaim in 2023. She has also developed The Industry Bible - an initiative to create an equitable film and theater industry for Black production crews.
We discuss her path into production, "Honorable," the 48-Hour Film Project, and the lack of diversity in filmmaking.
"Honorable" is a fictional story about the redemption of Malcom X Shabazz and Muhammad Ali's brotherhood and can be seen at the St. Louis International Film Festival.
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2023-10-231h 34EncoreNOWPunching Above My Weight - Doveed LinderDoveed Linder is a filmmaker from St. Louis, MO. His most recent film, "The Box" is a sci-fi thriller and took 11 years to make. We discuss his filmmaking approach, why "The Box" took so long to complete, his love of the sport of boxing and the current landscape of independent cinema.
"The Box can be seen at The St. Louis International Film Festival on November 11.
2023-10-171h 17EncoreNOWMy “Radical” Perspective - Vincent LatigueVincent Latigue is a university student focusing on studio art with a minor in Japanese. In this episode, he talks stand-up comedy, military service and the current political landscape.
2023-10-101h 36EncoreNOWDefying Death and Directing My Own Destiny - Delisa RichardsonDelisa Richardson is the epitome of resilience. Despite having an autoimmune disease, she has made a name for herself as an accomplished actress, model and director. We have an in-depth conversation about her career, dealing with ulcerative colitis, and her near-death experience due to a pulmonary embolism.
Delisa's short film - "Eliza" can be seen at the St. Louis International Film Festival this November.
One of the goals of EncoreNOW is to build a streaming platform for the arts. If you are interested in seeing literature, dance, music, film, stage and stand-up comedy in one...
2023-10-032h 23EncoreNOWStorytelling on a Budget - Michael RichMichael Rich is a film director, who is originally from St. Louis and now lives in LA. From the challenges of funding short films to the evolution of technology in cinema, Michael shares his insights and experiences. Discover the importance of storytelling in an age where cinematic quality is now the standard for independent film. Michael also reveals that a project may bring him back the metro area to film in the near future.
Michael's latest horror short film "The Queue" is making its rounds in the film festival circuit and will be featured at the St...
2023-09-1956 minEncoreNOWThe Question of Freedom - Jim MosqueraJim Mosquera's keen understanding of economics and the political landscape fueled his desire to begin writing. A regular column in the Economist gave rise to his fiction and nonfiction books.
In this episode, you'll get an understanding of the world of writing and self publishing, and you'll learn how Jim explores themes of centralization and decentralization by juxtaposing "Freedom Of" vs "Freedom From." Additionally, we chat about the gold standard, cryptocurrency, and a new global economic development - BRICS.
Jim also reveals trends happening in the United States that eerily reminds him of Panama...
2023-09-121h 48EncoreNOWWork Ethic Still Counts - Kendall TurnboughMusic has been part of Kendall Turnbough’s life as long as he can remember.
From making guest appearances during his dad’s sets as a child, he went on to get a formal education in music, and he enjoyed a successful career as a pianist and singer.
You’ll learn that hustle is just as important as talent. No matter what field you are in, you’ll be inspired by Kendall’s drive, passion, and work ethic.
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2023-09-051h 36EncoreNOWA Life on Stage - Jane ParadiseJane Paradise is a renowned stage actress and teacher. She shares her journey and passion for instilling the love of the arts in children. Discover how arts shape our world and why St. Louis is becoming a hub for performing arts. Don't forget to support the show!
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2023-08-2958 minEncoreNOWComedy Business School - Jevon WestmolandJevon Westmoland is stand-up comic from St. Louis, MO. He offers insights into the intricate dance between mastering the business side of comedy and effectively leveraging platforms like Facebook. Discover the distinct challenges and rewards of resonating with audiences both on stage and online, and the discipline required to navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
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2023-08-221h 11EncoreNOWBehind the Laughs - Andrew GaffiganAndrew Gaffigan is an up and coming stand-up comic. In this candid conversation, he gives us a glimpse into the early challenges and triumphs of an emerging comedian. From the unpredictability of audience reactions to the art of quickly switching topics on stage, this episode offers an unfiltered look into the stand-up world.
Navigating the highs and lows, from nightly gigs to unforgettable talent manager scams, join us as we explore the raw, humorous, and sometimes awkward moments of Andrew's journey to the spotlight.
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2023-08-1537 minEncoreNOWFinding Your Purpose - Chad AboudIn this episode, we dive into the fascinating life of Chad Aboud. From his early days as a child actor to his successful stint as a lawyer, Chad's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Now, as a motivational speaker, he shares insights from his life's calling and the lessons he's learned along the way.
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2023-08-081h 13EncoreNOWThe Fringe is the Place for Independent Artists - Chris Andoe and Matthew KernsIn this episode, we have Chris Andoe and Matthew Kerns from the St. Lou Fringe Fest. The week-long event is from August 14-20 and features more than 40 artists.
Chris is the author of two books, and talks about being the society columnist for the Riverfront times. He shares a few stories about his encounters with the infamous conman - Dustin Mitchell. And he gives us a preview of his one-man show.
Matthew is the Executive Director of the St. Lou Fringe Fest and a Kennedy Center Award Winner. He talks about his background, the importance...
2023-07-2350 min